'Maguire the wrong side of Welbeck' - Alan Shearer baffled by Mike Dean and VAR Manchester United penalty call

Match of the Day pundits Alan Shearer and Ian Wright were in total agreement that Brighton should have been awarded a second half penalty during their 2-1 loss at Old Trafford
Harry Maguire and Danny Welbeck collide in the box during the second half at Old TraffordHarry Maguire and Danny Welbeck collide in the box during the second half at Old Trafford
Harry Maguire and Danny Welbeck collide in the box during the second half at Old Trafford

Danny Welbeck had given Brighton the lead in the first half but Marcus Rashford levelled the scores after the break with a well placed finish from Bruno Fernades' through ball.

The game was in the balance when Neal Maupay collected the ball down the left and sent a low cross to Welbeck, who could not make contact from close range as Maguire challenged from behind.

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The ball rolled across the face of goal and Brighton players screamed at the official Mike Dean with the video assistant referee deciding against awarding a penalty after review.

United went on to claim all three points when Mason Greenwood headed home from close range on 83 minutes.

Shearer, speaking on MOTD, felt their was enough contact on Welbeck in the six yard box which prevented the former Red Devils striker from scoring.

He said “I agree (it should have been a penalty) Maguire is the wrong side of Welbeck. You can see him desperately trying to get back and he puts him off there.”

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Fellow pundit Wright lalso felt VAR should have overturned the decision.

“I think if he (Maguire) does not touch him (Welbeck) he would tap the ball in," said the former Arsenal striker.

“But instead, he crumbles under the challenge and Maguire has done what you immediately do when you are out of position and you are fighting to get back.

“He has done enough to put him off and I think it was a penalty.”

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Albion boss Graham Potter remained diplomatic when asked about the incident but when pushed, he said: “I was a little surprised it wasn’t given live because it felt like a penalty and when I watched it back I think it looks like a penalty.

“But once it doesn’t get given, you can understand why VAR don’t overrule it. I think if Mike Dean had given it, I don’t think VAR would have overruled it."

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