Hackett: VAR got Wolves v Manchester United controversy wrong

Mike Dean had no choice but to award Manchester United a penalty against Wolves after he was sent to the pitchside monitor, according to Keith Hackett.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-FIFA and Premier League referee suggested Dean made the right call initially when waving away Man United's calls for a spot-kick.

Man United wanted a penalty when Wolves defender Romain Saiss challenged Donny van de Beek in the dying stages of the first half.

The referee only overturned his initial decision when the VAR official told him to review it on the pitchside monitor.

“I have to tell you that Mike Dean has made the right call but when it’s called across to VAR it’s closed off his options,” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.

“Mike Dean would have been very happy not awarding the penalty kick. 

“They got there in the end. This is where VAR is in effect, becoming very microscopic in what it sees and how it affects the game.

“Mike Dean on the day was quite happy it wasn’t a foul and the VAR has come in and said ‘That’s clear and obvious.’ Mike Dean has got no alternative. He’s going to the screen he’s seeing it and he’s getting clarity in what he didn’t see the first time around.

“Patrick Bamford stayed on his feet [in Leeds v Southampton] and didn’t get one. It all leans to the fact, if you’re going to get touched in the penalty area you’re going to go down.

“Trying to judge what’s a foul is a very difficult scenario when you see a foot touch a leg. Defenders need to stop diving in.”

In other news, Wolves have lined up a move for an ex-Nottingham Forest manager.