BREAKING: VAR finally releases official statement on Southampton potential penalty handball situation

BREAKING: VAR has officially addressed the potential penalty handball incident involving Southampton. PGMOL is significantly biassed against us this season.

Manchester United seeks their inaugural Premier League victory of 2025, while Southampton aims to create an upset at Old Trafford.

The Reds commenced the new year positively, securing a draw against Liverpool away before triumphing over Arsenal in a penalty shootout to advance in the FA Cup.

This evening, Manchester United confront relegation-threatened Southampton, now positioned at the bottom of the table with only one victory this season.

Ruben Amorim implemented three alterations for the match, since Diogo Dalot was suspended due to receiving two yellow cards against Arsenal. Amad Diallo rejoined the lineup to assume the right wing-back position.

Andre Onana and Leny Yoro were the other two alterations, commencing against the Saints.

Southampton has demonstrated superior performance to date, generating the most significant opportunities, however United was deprived of a crucial decision in the first half.

Manchester United was denied a penalty for handball.
The officials faced a significant decision in the first half following the denial of a penalty demand by United.

United believed they would receive a penalty after the ball made contact with Kyle Walker-Peters’ arm within the penalty area.

VAR intervened and opted to disregard the incident as Walker-Peters had been bumped by Amad before to handling the ball.

The Premier League utilised X, previously referred to as Twitter, to elucidate their verdict, categorising it as an inadvertent handball resulting from contact initiated by Amad.

Despite the potential frustration for Amorim and his teammates, it was the correct move.

Manchester United behind at half-time
Southampton took the lead before half-time by scoring their first corner of the season, attributed to an own goal by Manuel Ugarte.

It was yet another instance of inadequate defending during set pieces, as United target Tyler Dibling secured the initial header, which ricocheted off Ugarte and into the goal.

Onana is unfortunate not to have secured a clean sheet after executing a series of remarkable saves in the first half.

The sole objective that differentiated the teams was an own goal, however there has been minimal activity for Aaron Ramsdale to contend with at the opposing end.

United must exert considerable effort in the second half to achieve a comeback.