Man Utd receive new verdict on VAR controversy with statement branded 'absolute nonsense'

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Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey has branded the statement explaining the decision to not send off Nathan Collins as ‘absolute nonsense’.

The Brentford defender avoided getting his marching orders after conceding a penalty during their 3-1 win over Manchester United . With the Bees leading 2-1, Collins was penalised for pulling back Bryan Mbeumo as he was about to connect with the ball.

Referee Craig Pawson pointed to the spot, but decided against showing Collins a red card. That was despite the United striker being poised to fire a shot at goal from close distance.

The VAR on duty backed up Pawson’s decision, with Bruno Fernandes missing from the spot to add further insult to injury. A statement from the Premier League Match Centre explained the decision with a statement released swiftly after the penalty was awarded.

That statement read: "The referee’s call of penalty was checked and confirmed by VAR – with Collins deemed to have pulled Mbeumo back.

"VAR also checked the referee’s call of yellow card to Collins - and deemed that Mbeumo wasn’t in control of the ball."

However, Halsey, who officiated in the Premier League for more than 10 years, slammed the decision - and subsequent explanation, suggesting the correct call was cut and dry.

Halsey told the Sun: “The statement from the Match Centre said that Mbeumo did not have control of the ball.It doesn’t say in law about having the ball under control.

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“It’s about the likelihood of keeping control of the ball. “In my opinion, the Match Centre statement was absolute nonsense and it was a clear, clear denial of a goalscoring opportunity.

“Manchester United will be very disappointed with that decision. A red card should have been shown to the Brentford player.”

Defeat at the GTech was United’s third in just six league matches, leaving them marooned in the bottom half. It also continued Ruben Amorim’s long run of being unable to win back to back Premier League matches.

Amorim refused to openly criticise the decision, instead lamenting his side’s inability to control the game. “We have the ability and the capacity to control the game, to calm down the game. We didn't do that today,” he explained.

“You guys have the ability to make your decision with your opinion of the decision. The referee told me that Bryan [Mbeumo] was not in control of the ball. I think he was not in control of the ball because he was pulled. So that was the decision.

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“Again, I want - especially in these kind of moments - not to focus on the referee. What we should have done this afternoon is play better, and we need to play better."

Despite another chastening defeat, the Portuguese boss remains confident that he will be able to turn it around He added: "It’s like ups and downs. When you win, you feel that everything, the momentum is there.

“When you lose, you go back to the same place and you fight again for one win that can help you to create the momentum.

“Guys, I'm always doing my job. If I win, I'm in a different state of mind. That is normal. I'm always confident because I know what to do."

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