Manchester United escaped a penalty shout because of … when Lisandro Martinez handled the ball in his own area. A VAR review cleared the defender of any wrongdoing.
Newcastle United defender Fabian Schar’s shot was blocked by the United defender but he avoided punishment due to his pyhsical battle with Malick Thiaw.
Gary Neville said on the incident: “Schar hits it, his [Martinez’s arm is up above his head and it’s stretched.
“Is it because he’s pushing Thiaw? That might just save him. He’s actually wrestling with the other Newcastle centre-back, his arms are already there.
“If Thiaw is anywhere near him, that’s definitely a penalty. I think the fact he has just had a wrestle with the other centre-back might just save him.
“He is saying the context is because there’s another situation whereby he is fighting with another player and his arms are already up there and he’s just not got back down.”
Peter Drury added: “They are calling it mutual contact between Martinez and Thiaw and that is essentially the explanation for the fact that there won’t be a penalty.”
The incident occurred as Newcastle attempted to salvage a point from the match. An impressive opening half from United saw Ruben Amorim’s side take the lead through Patrick Dorgu.
Patrick Dorgu celebrates with Diogo Dalot
Patrick Dorgu celebrates with Diogo Dalot (
Image:
Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images)
And Amorim’s men were able to see the game out and even impress Roy Keane. “We have seen a big win for Man Utd,” said the Irishman.
“To come out and win an ugly game, specifically from a defensive point of view, keeping that clean sheet. There has to be pride in your defending.
“The goal was fantastic, a special goal. But if you want to make progress, it has got to be about being defensively solid. It is a start in terms of momentum for the younger players but you have to find something.
“Digging out results. The teams I played in, we didn’t play well every week but we dug in.
