Douglas Luiz slams officiating after controversial Man United penalty

‘If we have VAR to help, let’s start using it CORRECTLY’: Douglas Luiz hits out after he conceded a controversial penalty for fouling Paul Pogba during Aston Villa’s defeat by Manchester United

  • Manchester United beat Aston Villa 2-1 on Friday thanks to a contentious penalty
  • Douglas Luiz was accused of fouling Paul Pogba in the second half inside the box
  • The furious Villa midfielder soon took to Twitter to criticise the officials’ decision
  • Luiz said VAR must be used correctly in similar situations after the controversy

Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz has lashed out at the controversial decision to award Manchester United a penalty in their win over his team at Old Trafford on Friday.

Luiz was adjudged to have fouled Paul Pogba inside the box in the second half, although replays then showed the United midfielder tripping over his own leg after the duo tangled. 

Villa boss Dean Smith was left angered by the officiating over the incident – and Luiz also joined the dissenting voices when taking to Twitter soon after the final whistle. 

Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz (right) criticised the decision to award Manchester United a penalty 

A clearly furious Luiz took to Twitter shortly after the clash at Old Trafford to share his opinions

Bruno Fernandes was able to keep his composure and smash home the spot-kick from 12 yards, handing United a crucial three points which sent them level on points with leaders Liverpool.

The moment, which decided the outcome of the clash, came just a matter of minutes after Villa had equalised through Bertrand Traore’s neat finish. 

With frustration mounting among the ranks at the Midlands outfit, Luiz tweeted footage of the incident and took aim at the failure of VAR to properly intervene.

Michael Oliver (right) pointed to the spot but replays show Pogba may have tripped himself up

Pogba appeared to clip his own leg after tangling with Luiz, as revealed by VAR, before falling

‘I see this video, I can’t believe it was a penalty,’ he wrote. ‘I always support fairer football, with fewer mistakes, but then I stop and see these types of moves.

‘If we have VAR to help, LET’S start using it CORRECTLY. These mistakes can define the future of clubs!’ 

Referee Michael Oliver quickly pointed to the spot after Pogba was felled when looking to spin beyond Luiz and a brief VAR check allowed the decision to stand.

The official did not check his pitch-side monitor, however, in a move which left Smith openly bemused.

 Bruno Fernandes scored the resulting match-winning penalty to seal a 2-1 victory for United

Villa boss Dean Smith says the referee should have consulted with his pitch-side VAR monitor

He told Sky Sports: ‘I thought it was a penalty at the time, but I looked at it after the game and saw he tripped himself. I don’t see why Michael (Oliver) couldn’t have looked at it. 

‘That’s what VAR is for isn’t it? He’s tripped himself up. There’s margins in football. I’ve seen it again, and I don’t think it’s a penalty.’ 

Anthony Martial was also on target for the hosts on New Year’s Day, converting with a neat header following Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross. 

Villa were made to suffer their first away defeat since the end of November – and only their fifth overall from their last 15 games.  







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