Premier League immediately release VAR transcript as Man Utd furious at Fulham controversy

18:55, Sun, Sep 20, 2026 Updated: 19:44, Sun, Sep 20, 2026

Manchester United were furious with a decision which went against them (Image: Getty)

The Premier League Match Centre immediately released the VAR transcript after Manchester United were not awarded a penalty against Fulham. While they trailed Fulham 1-0 - after Lisandro Martinez scored a bizarre own goal - the Reds defender pounced on a poor Bernd Leno punch and tried to create an opening.

He looked to clip the ball over Cottagers defender Calvin Bassey, who blocked the ball with his arm which was raised up to his chest. United players immediately shouted for a penalty, but referee Peter Bankes did not award it. VAR took a look at the decision and decided his arms were too close to his body. Harry Maguire was seen arguing with Bankes after the match, while Michael Carrick also strode onto the pitch for an explanation.

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United now have one as the Premier League Match Centre uploaded the transcript from the game to their X page. It read: "The referee’s call of no penalty to Manchester United for a potential handball offence by Bassey was checked and confirmed by VAR.

"AR1: 'It’s close to his body – it has hit but his arm is close to his body'. REF: 'On-field decision is play on'. VAR: 'Arms close to his body. As seen – confirming the on-field decision to play on, exactly as described on-field'."

Looking at the incident after the game for Sky Sports, ex-United forward Louis Saha said: "It's 50-50. You don't know now with the rules.

"Your natural instinct is to protect your face because you know you are going to be hit. But it's different rules every weekend. Some referees will blow while some others will say 'No go on'."

Bassey looked to have handled the ball but the VAR team decided it was not a handball (Image: Getty)

In the moment, Gary Neville felt Bassey was somewhat fortuitous, as he gave the referee a decision to make by raising his hands. He said: "It's strange for a defender to put their hands up, because they know the referee will have to make a decision. Bassey is asking for trouble."

United managed to salvage a draw from Craven Cottage courtesy of Cunha's deflected strike in the 89th minute. Defeat in west London would have been a third consecutive loss in all competitions for United.

Carrick told BBC Sport: "We want more points, we're going to have a spell where it's not quite going for you and we've had a spell of that where small things have ended up as big things.

"We don't think things are perfect by any means. We need to win football matches. The supporters were top-drawer again today and we have to give them something to keep shouting about."