Manchester United had been the better side against Real Sociedad but were dragged level by a penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal
VAR decided to award a penalty for Real Sociedad due to a handball by Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes from a corner in an earlier phase of play.
United had taken the lead in the 57th minute as Joshua Zirkzee swept the ball home from an Alejandro Garnacho cross. The Reds looked in control until a controversial moment just over ten minutes later.
From a corner, it appeared that Fernandes had inadvertently handled the ball while challenging a home player for a header. Initially, the referee decided not to award a penalty and play was allowed to continue.
However, at the next stoppage of play, Ivan Kruzliak was asked to head to the pitchside monitor to review the incident. It took the Slovakian less than a minute to decide that it was a penalty and Mikel Oyarazabal converted the spot kick to level the scores.
After the incident, Fernandes was seen shaking his head while also pleading his innocence to teammate Casemiro. The captain would receive further sympathy from Robbie Savage on co-commentary.
Speaking on TNT Sports immediately after the incident, the former United academy player said: “The rule is ridiculous. On that angle there, the arm does stop him [Real Sociedad attacker] heading it because the arm is an unnatural position.
“It is harsh though because that is how you jump but the arm has stopped the player heading the ball so, by the letter of the law and the way the rule is, it is a penalty even though it is harsh.” Savage would later add that UEFA and the other football authorities need to re-evaluate the handball rule.
