Manchester United have been involved in the latest VAR controversy after Nathan Collins avoided red despite denying Bryan MbeumoAlan Shearer.Alan Shearer has slammed refereeing decisions during Man United’s 3-1 defeat to Brentford.(Image: BBC)

Alan Shearer says Manchester United have a right to feel aggrieved after being on the wrong end of a “terrible” refereeing decision. Ruben Amorim’s side slipped to 14th in the Premier League after a 3-1 defeat at Brentford.

Igor Thiago struck twice in the first-half to give United an uphill task but Benjamin Sesko’s effort before the break reduced the arrears. Bruno Fernandes was handed an opportunity from 12 yards after Bryan Mbeumo was pulled back in the box by Nathan Collins.

The Republic of Ireland international avoided punishment, escaping with a yellow card. However, the United skipper saw his spot-kick saved before in second-half stoppage time, and Mathias Jensen restored their two-goal lead.

READ MORE: New Man United VAR verdict given as Premier League called out over Brentford decisionREAD MORE: Man United red card decision explained vs Brentford as Premier League issue VAR ruling

Shearer has slammed the officiating and questioned the validity of the explanation behind the decision not to send Collins off.

“So they should [be aggrieved]. Yes, they got the penalty but what they didn’t get, the officials, it should have been a red card as well.,” he said on Match of the Day.

“They get it right in terms of the referee’s call: he gives the penalty for the pull back. But what they didn’t get right was the yellow card check for Collins.

“They deemed that Mbeumo wasn’t in control of the ball, I mean honestly, it’s just a terrible decision.

“He can’t be in control of the ball because someone is pulling him back, he’s a yard from the ball, clearly.

“Yes, [Fernandes] had to wait four-and-a-half minutes before getting to that decision but that’s a mistake from him. [Collins] should have been sent off – absolutely no doubt about it.”

The Premier League’s Match Centre account on X posted an explanation regarding the decision to award a penalty but also not send off the Brentford defender, which Shearer disagreed with.

“The referee’s call of penalty was checked and confirmed by VAR – with Collins deemed to pulled Mbeumo back,” the post said.

“VAR also checked the referee’s call of yellow card to Collins – and deemed that Mbeumo wasn’t in control of the ball.”

However, a community note – an aspect of the social media website that was integrated to deny falsehoods being spread widely – seemingly rubbished the notion that Collins avoided red as it was deemed that the United man “wasn’t in control of the ball”.

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