Furious Fulham boss Marco Silva blasts ‘horrendous’ VAR decision after Man United’s late 3-2 win: ‘It’s the first time this season we’ve seen that’

Marco Silva slammed what he felt was an unprecedented VAR decision to award Manchester United a free-kick leading to their opening goal during Fulham’s 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford.

Referee John Brooks blew for a penalty after Jorge Cuenca’s sliding challenge on Matheus Cunha. Replays showed the defender got the ball but, rather than allow play to carry on with a corner, Brooks announced that a free-kick would be awarded for a shirt-pull outside the area. Bruno Fernandes then crossed for Casemiro to head home.

Silva’s suspicion was that the penalty was given for the foul, not the shirt-pull, and the timing of the referee’s whistle appeared to support his belief.

‘It was a bad, bad, bad decision by John Brooks,’ said Silva. ‘It was clear the penalty was given (for the foul). After, came a completely different decision. It’s the first time this season we’ve seen that.

‘It was a horrendous decision. The penalty was given by the tackle. After, because the decision was so bad, they found a different foul. I feel my players. I feel our fans, but we have to respect the people in charge. I know why the penalty was given. 

‘VAR went in a completely different direction to find something to find a free-kick, but that was not the reason why the penalty was given.’

Referee John Brooks blew for a penalty after Jorge Cuenca’s sliding challenge on Matheus Cunha – before announcing that a free-kick would be awarded for a shirt-pull outside the area

Fulham thought they had rescued a point when Kevin struck to make it 2-2 in the 91st minute, only for Benjamin Sesko to fire a winner three minutes later. 

United boss Michael Carrick said: ‘It was a huge moment. The reception he (Sesko) got when he came back into the changing-room told us everything. Everyone was so pleased for him.’