Alan Shearer agrees VAR used ‘wrong angle’ as controversial decision saves Man Utd

Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer took to social media to offer his opinion after a late penalty in Everton’s draw with Manchester United was overturned following a VAR intervention

Alan Shearer waded into the debate after Everton were denied a late penalty against Manchester United following an intervention by VAR.

The Toffees let a two-goal lead slip against United, who scored twice in the second half to draw 2-2 at Goodison Park. But they almost left Merseyside pointless after referee Andy Madley dramatically awarded the hosts a penalty in stoppage-time.

Madley was then advised to review his decision at the pitchside monitor by VAR and went on to reverse his decision after watching the incident back.

However, some felt that Madley was not given the best viewing angles to make a decision – including Shearer, who said as much in response to golfer Lee Westwood on X.

Westwood questioned the angles Madley was shown, saying: “Why would VAR not show the ref the best angle of the shirt pull pen at decision???”, with Shearer responding: “Agree”.

Ally McCoist also spoke out on the angles of the incident that were shown to Madley whilst commentating on the match for TNT Sports.

When the decision had been overturned, he said: “Wow. You know something, I can see why he’s not given it, but I would have given it. I think there’s enough of a tug on him [Ashley Young].”

While some weren’t convinced with the call, Ruben Amorim insisted post-match that the officials arrived at the correct decision after a lengthy VAR check.

The Manchester United boss said: “No I think it’s a soft touch, it was not from what I saw. I think it was a soft penalty it was clear. If you start the game without the first-half, it was a good point, but we needed the three points.

“The worst part is we are losing the ball without pressure and not doing what we are supposed to do. And we are losing goals from second balls. We are soft. Not just scoring goals but creating chances we have to improve on that. We struggle with scoring goals.

“We have to continue to think in the next game and everything we do in the week we have to do in the game. If we don’t we won’t win.

“We need to survive this season, that is clear. We have so many problems. When you go to the game and we let the time pass, it is hard. By the end I think we were nearer to winning this game.”

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