When Dean Smith was labelling the failure of VAR to overturn a Manchester United penalty at Villa Park on Thursday night as "disgraceful", he might have been forgetting the astonishing stroke of fortune his own side benefited from on the first day of the Premier League restart. On that occasion, Villa escaped defeat because the goalline technology system failed to spot a Sheffield United effort had crossed the line. It was certainly more clear cut than a penalty decision that split opinion when Ezri Konsa was adjudged to have felled Bruno Fernandes just inside the penalty area. It was a key decision, giving United the lead against the run of play, and for Twitter conspiracy theorists it was more ammunition to suggest this club always get the rub of the green when it comes to marginal decisions, even in the technological age. The meme of a VAR screen giving a decision as "Whatever Manchester United want" was soon going viral and it was their 18th penalty of the 2019/20 season and the 13th in the Premier League, equalling the record for the most in one season. But have United benefitted from good fortune when it comes to penalties this season? Or is there a reason they've won so many? Here's a look at all 18 of those decisions to try and get to the bottom of it.
1. Marcus Rashford vs Chelsea (August 11, 2019) United's first penalty of the season arrived just over 16 minutes into the season. Rashford broke into the box and flicked the ball inside Kurt Zouma, who clearly struck out a leg and fouled the forward. It was poor defending from Zouma and the lack of complaints gave the game away. Rashford scored from the spot, although that would become an issue in the next few weeks. Verdict: Certain penalty
2. Paul Pogba vs Wolves (August 19, 2019) A week later United had another penalty. Pogba and Martial exchanged passes in the build-up and when Pogba cut inside Conor Coady in the Wolves penalty area he tumbled over the defender's outstretched leg. Coady pleaded his innocence and Pogba probably did look for the contact, but the penalty was still given, although Pogba missed it. Verdict: Clever play, but still a penalty
3. Marcus Rashford vs Crystal Palace (August 24, 2019) Three penalties in as many games for United. This time Martial controlled the ball in the area and Scott McTominay latched on to his lay-off, only to be tripped by Luka Milivojevic. Again there were no complaints. This time Rashford was back on penalty duty but he hit the post from 12 yards. Verdict: Certain penalty
4. Marcus Rashford vs Leicester City (September 24, 2019) United's first three penalties of the season had involved neat interplay in the penalty area but this was the first time that pace was crucial. Caglar Soyuncu prepared to clear a loose ball in the Leicester City box, only for Rashford's pace to get him there first and as he nudged the ball away Soyuncu cleaned him out. Verdict: Clear penalty
5. Anthony Martial vs Partizan Belgrade (October 24, 2019) Pace was to the fore again in the hostile environment of Belgrade. From the left-wing Brandon Williams showed his own quick turn of speed to break past Nemanja Miletic and the defender's desperate attempt at a tackle inside the area only saw him fell the United youngster. Martial converted from the spot for his first penalty of the season. Verdict: Clear penalty
6. Marcus Rashford vs Norwich City (October 27, 2019) A day when United's issues from the spot reached a nadir. Rashford and Martial missed in the first half at Carrow Road, in a game United still won 3-1. This was a penalty given by VAR, when Ben Godfrey eased Daniel James out of the way as the winger latched on to Martial's through ball. It was a poor decision not to give it on first viewing. Verdict: Clear penalty
7. Anthony Martial vs Norwich City (October 27, 2019) Another penalty given on review in what was a bad day for referee Stuart Atwell. From a half-cleared corner Fred controlled and then sent a volley goalwards, which quite clearly hit Todd Cantwell's arm, which was well above his head. The only decision should have been whether it was in the area or not, but Atwell contrived to give a corner. Thankfully he was saved by the technology, but Martial joined Rashford in having his spot-kick saved by Krul. United had missed four of their seven penalties at this stage of the season, but they've scored 11 in a row since then. Verdict: Clear penalty
8. Marcus Rashford vs Chelsea (October 30, 2019) Pace again was key here, a familiar theme for United's penalties. James jinked into the area and Marcos Alonso tried to make up ground he clumsily barged into the winger from behind, Verdict: Clear penalty
9. Marcus Rashford vs Tottenham (December 4, 2019) A brilliant run from Rashford, who beat Serge Aurier on the left touchline before going past Moussa Sissoko in the area. The midfielder attempted to get a foot in but only succeeded in bringing down Rashford. It was given on-field by Paul Tierney and was never likely to be overturned, as although the contact looked to be minimal there was some contact on the forward's ankle. Verdict: Penalty, maybe a little fortune it was given on- field
10. Marcus Rashford vs Manchester City (December 7, 2019) Another penalty given by VAR and another that really should have been awarded on the pitch. Again it was won by Rashford's quick feet and pace. He cut in from the left and outfoxed Gabriel Jesus before being clearly wiped out by Bernardo Silva as three City defenders converged on him. Somehow Anthony Taylor waved play on, only for the technology to save him from embarrassment. Verdict: Clear penalty
11. Juan Mata vs AZ Alkmaar (December 12, 2019) This time it was Mason Greenwood's pace that proved decisive. He controlled Williams' pass and quickly skipped by Owen Wijndal, who left his leg out and brought down the teenager. Verdict: Clear penalty
12. Marcus Rashford vs Norwich City (January 11, 2020) For the second time this season it was the speed of Williams that won a penalty for United. This time he beat Tim Krul to a loose ball in the box and, considering he was on the left edge of the area and at a tight angle, he waited for the contact and went down. It was clever play from the young full-back. Verdict: Clever play, but still a penalty
13. Mason Greenwood vs Tranmere Rovers (January 26, 2020) A stroke of luck in the area as the ball fell to Tahith Chong, but he was quicker to the loose ball than Tranmere goalkeeper Scott Davies, who took the winger out with his leg. Verdict: Clear penalty
14. Bruno Fernandes vs Watford (February 23, 2020) Speed was key again for United here, with Fernandes latching on to a through ball and beating the onrushing Ben Foster to the ball. Once Fernandes had got there first the sprawling goalkeeper was always going to bring the attacking midfielder down. It was Fernandes' goal for United. Verdict: Clear penalty
15. Bruno Fernandes vs Club Brugge (February 27, 2020) A second handball decision for United this season and this time a red card for Brugge defender Simon Deli, who bizarrely stuck his left arm out to block Daniel James' shot. It was completely unnecessary and after a long VAR review the red card stood. Verdict: Clear penalty
16. Bruno Fernandes vs Tottenham (June 19, 2020) United were awarded two penalties in this game, with the second overturned by VAR. There was no doubt about the first, Pogba showing quick feet on the right to work his way into the box before being bundled over by Eric Dier. United have won penalties home and away against Tottenham and Norwich this season. Verdict: Clear penalty
17. Marcus Rashford vs Bournemouth (July 4, 2020) Another handball, this time Adam Smith darting across his box to try and stop a dangerous United attack, only to use his right hand to nudge the ball away from Nemanja Matic. It was well-spotted by Mike Dean, not something you say every week. Verdict: Clear penalty
18. Bruno Fernandes vs Aston Villa (July 9, 2020) And so to the most controversial. Smith wasn't alone in thinking this wasn't a penalty and it caused a lot of debate on social media and on TV. Fernandes, crucially, was first to the ball against Konsa and his turn meant he was looking to maintain control of possession when he tangled with the Villa right-back. Solskjaer felt it was a penalty, but it was by no means clear cut. Had it not been given on the field it may well not have been awarded by VAR.
Verdict: United's most dubious penalty of the season It's clear that United haven't been lucky this season. The opposition can only really feel aggrieved about two of the 18 penalties awarded. So why have United won so many penalties? The majority of them have been down to pace and that was always going to be a factor this season, with the front three all possessing jet heels to burst into the box. And having been profligate from the spot for the first few months of the season, United are now making no mistake from 12 yards.

This one is also penalty right?

var admitted dier mistake abt dt latest one bt its too late..

paulolee:
var admitted dier mistake abt dt latest one bt its too late..

Am concerned about that VAR that gavr a penalty against Eric Bailey vs Bournemouth. VAR keeps checking and Checking and decided that ball was handball.

Bournemouth scores and game was 3-2.


Now because its man utd. Dem mofos wan trend.

Olarewaju89:
This one is also penalty right?

Thats not a penalty. So many wrong calls by VAR this season. The match between burnley and spurs.

That guy shoved kane away and ref n VAR didnt see. That was a clear PK.
Everybody is just concerned about man utds penalty. Why.

There were 3 Wrong penalty calls yesterday in the 3 games yesterday,. The man utd match, the everton game and d spurs game. But everybody just carry man utd for head like gala