Referee backed over Man Utd VAR decision as Premier League release official verdict

The Premier League have confirmed that referee John Brooks and VAR officials were correct not to award Manchester United a penalty at Everton on September 6th. Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha looked to have been brought down in the Toffees box during the 2-2 draw.

Cameroon international Bryan Mbeumo broke the deadlock for Michael Carrick's men shortly after the interval, curling a precise low effort from the edge of the area. United then believed they had an opportunity to double their advantage from the spot, when Cunha appeared to be felled from behind by defender James Tarkowski.

Having collected the ball in Everton's half, England winger Marcus Rashford surged forward into Jordan Pickford's area, leaving both Tarkowski and centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite in his wake with some slick footwork before rolling it back to Cunha on the edge of the six-yard box.

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As the forward shaped to find the net, a last-gasp challenge from Tarkowski dispossessed him, sparking furious appeals for a penalty from United's players on the pitch and their travelling supporters in the stands.

Although VAR briefly reviewed the incident, replays demonstrated that Tarkowski had won the ball cleanly before Branthwaite cleared the danger.

The Premier League have since confirmed that their panel of refereeing experts unanimously upheld the decision to wave away the penalty appeals.

They said: "The referee's call of no penalty was supported as Tarkowski clearly and fairly won the ball through Cunha's legs."

The incident occurred just a week before the contentious decision to allow Erling Haaland's goal to stand in United's 1-0 Manchester derby defeat the following Sunday.

The on-field ruling initially flagged him offside, though it was subsequently argued that the Norwegian was actually in an onside position, with Patrick Dorgu's outstretched leg playing him on.

Despite this, officials overlooked the fact that Enzo Fernandez — who was positioned offside — had interfered with play, meaning the goal should never have been given.

Premier League refereeing body Pro Ref has since conceded an "error of judgment" on the part of the VAR officials, with United receiving a formal apology.