A Bruno Fernandes penalty in the second half had given United the advantage, but Ryan Christie levelled things up just six minutes later. But it was during the move just before Bournemouth countered that United raged at the referee, believing Amad had been pushed down in the penalty box, but referee Stuart Atwell disagreed.
As the goal was scored in the same sequence, VAR would’ve been within its rights to disallow the Bournemouth equaliser, while awarding a penalty to United. Instead, the video assistant deemed there was no wrongdoing, meaning the game restarted at 1-1.
United did go on to retake the lead shortly after, but the match was flipped on its head when Harry Maguire was shown a straight red card for pushing over Evanilson in the penalty area. Eli Junior Kroupi converted from 12 yards, with the score remaining at 2-2 until full-time.
The United hierarchy are so unhappy with the decision, they intend to complain to PGMOL. They argue that Amad was wrestled to the ground and that the Bournemouth penalty incident later in the game was similar, but refereed differently.
United perceive the two to be major VAR errors, which could cost them in their bid to qualify for the Champions League next season. The 20-time champions are also unhappy that nine added minutes were awarded in the second half, despite four goals being scored and two lengthy VAR checks.
“A big opportunity to go 2-0 up and we get one penalty and not the other. It’s exactly the same thing really – a two-handed grab. He’s got one wrong so, I don’t know which one but he doesn’t give us the second one.”