Man United handed double penalty verdict after controversial Real Sociedad decision

Man United handed double penalty verdict after controversial Real Sociedad decision

Manchester United needed to beat Real Sociedad in order to progress in the Europa League.

Former Wales international Robbie Savage felt that both penalty decisions were correct during an enthralling opening in Manchester United’s Europa League clash with Real Sociedad.

It was a nightmare start for Ruben Amorim’s side when the visitors were awarded a penalty after 10 minutes following the intervention from VAR. Matthijs de Ligt initially was adjudged to have been fouled but Benoit Bastien was instructed to go to the pitchside monitor and found that the Dutchman caught Mikel Oyarzabal.

The Sociedad captain dusted himself off and sent Andre Onana the wrong way. It was a dream start for the La Liga side but their lead was short-lived after Igor Zubeldia fouled Rasmus Hojlund in the penalty area, four minutes later.

Fernandes stepped up to level proceedings on the night and on aggregate. Savage, who was commentating as part of TNT Sports’ coverage, said: “I’d like to see that again Darren. Initially, I thought De Ligt got the ball, on that replay, did he catch Oyarzabal first?

“We’ll see here as the ball comes across, makes the run to the near post, I tell you what that, for me, is a penalty. You see as he slid in, that’s a penalty for me.

“The referee over at the screen, he’s got the back of Oyarzabal’s Achilles, it’s a penalty. Oyarzabal does so well to get goalside, initially, we thought he [De Ligt] did well but that angle he caught his Achilles, wrong side and it’s a penalty. The VAR got it right.”

The former Wales international was also in agreement over the challenge on Hojlund. He added: “It’s a definite penalty. We’ll see, it’s a beautiful ball, Hojlund’s onside and that is a penalty. He gets his shot off. I think they’ll go with the on-field decision, he’s the wrong side, Hojlund should score lets be fair. It’s a great ball from Casemiro, a great run from Fernandes.

“What a reaction from Man United. What a game we’ve got here, two penalties, it’s so cool isn’t it? The little steps, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way, look at this for calmness.