BREAKING: Premier League Match Centre explains reason Man Utd were denied Burnley penalty

The Premier League's Match Centre has explained why Manchester United's penalty against Burnley was overturned in controversial fashion. In the opening stages of Saturday's clash, United midfielder Mason Mount looked to have been brought down Burnley right-back Kyle Walker and referee Sam Barrott pointed to the spot.

That was despite Burnley's protests that the contact had ended outside of the penalty area. But after a VAR review and having been instructed to look at the pitch-side monitor, Barrott concluded that there was no foul - not even awarding a free-kick.

The decision shocked the crowd, most of whom believed that even if it wasn't a penalty, United would be given a free-kick. A post on the Premier League's Match Centre account read: "After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of penalty to Manchester United.

"Referee announcement: "After review, Burnley number two does not commit a foul on Man United number seven. My final decision is no penalty and drop ball to the goalkeeper"."

Former Premier League defender Stephen Warnock described the incident was a '50-50', arguing that Walker was simply stronger than Mount. "This is a 50-50 shoulder charge between the two, Mount and Walker, and Walker is simply too strong," Warnock claimed on Final Score.

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"Mount tries to get his leg across for contact, but then he goes down as a last resort because he knows that he's losing the battle.
It is the right decision. They have taken a while to get there but the officials have worked together and come to the right result."

United captain Bruno Fernandes even had the ball in his hands while the VAR check was ongoing. Soon after play had restarted with a drop ball, the Red Devils had another penalty appeal turned down.

Burnley left-back Quilindschy Hartman stopped United forward Amad with a sliding tackle to prompt huge appeals in the Stretford End. Replays showed that Hartman won the ball and Barrott was right not to award a penalty.

Should Manchester United have been given a penalty? Have your say in the comments section.

The hosts didn't have to wait long for a goal, though, coming in fortuitous circumstances. Casemiro's header rattled the crossbar but hit Burnley skipper Josh Cullen on the rebound.

Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dubravka did his best to prevent the ball from crossing the line but the technology showed that it had. United had two golden opportunities to double their lead during the eight minutes of stoppage time at the end of the first half but Amad and Joshua Zirkzee both missed their chances.

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