Update: Man United sent clear red card verdict as ex-Prem ref hits out and wants VAR rules changed News

Manchester United scored twice in the dying embers of extra-time to complete a remarkable comeback against Lyon in the Europa League, but the game was not without its share of controversy

Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has called for a change in VAR rules following Manchester United’s dramatic Europa League second-leg comeback against Lyon.

Thursday night saw Old Trafford erupt as United staged a stunning extra-time comeback to win their quarter-final tie. Rayan Cherki had put the French team 4-2 ahead on aggregate in the 104th minute, only for United captain Bruno Fernandes to fire home a penalty ten minutes later.

United were still behind as the clock hit 120 minutes, until Kobbie Mainoo curled in his effort from inside the box, sparking pandemonium in the stands. Just a minute later, defender Harry Maguire headed in at the back post to win the game, sending Old Trafford into raptures.

The thrilling 5-4 victory not only propelled United into the European semi-finals but also marked the best night of Ruben Amorim’s tenure so far. However, amidst all the drama – which included two penalties – former ref Clattenburg took issue with another crucial decision.

From the 89th minute, Lyon were down to ten men due to Corentin Tolisso receiving a second yellow card. The experienced midfielder was judged to have halted a United counter-attack in the final moments of regular time by tripping Leny Yoro from behind.

Yet, replays of the incidents showed that Tolisso made no deliberate attempt to bring down the United player and contact was minimal. Clattenburg, providing his expert analysis for TNT Sports, called for a change in VAR rules to permit the overturning of second yellow cards – something that is not currently allowed.

“The Tolisso red card is a ridiculous decision,” he said. “To receive a yellow card in this situation was for stopping a promising attack and this was not the case as there was a covering defender who could easily play the ball.

“Watching another angle, I am not sure there was much contact either to award a foul. Therefore Manchester United have got lucky in this decision.

“Unfortunately VAR cannot interfere on a second yellow card but will raise the argument on why not when such a decision is clearly wrong.”

Even United icon Rio Ferdinand, who was commentating on TNT Sports, agreed with Clattenburg’s assessment that Tolisso’s sending off was unjust. “I think that’s harsh, I think that’s harsh. It is not deliberate,” Ferdinand stated.

The match wasn’t short on other contentious incidents, with referee Sandro Scharer awarding Lyon a penalty for a Luke Shaw challenge later in the game, which Alexandre Lacazette tucked away.

Scharer also initially missed a penalty call for a foul on Casemiro during extra-time, but VAR intervened, correcting the oversight and giving Fernandes the chance to score from the spot.