Update: |Man United given fresh Alejandro Garnacho penalty verdict after controversial Man City call News

Manchester United had to settle for a draw against Manchester City after being denied a penalty in the first minute of play

Dermot Gallagher believes that John Brooks made the right decision to not award Manchester United a penalty in the opening minute of Sunday’s Manchester Derby.

The former Premier League referee analysed the footage on Ref Watch, as Manchester City defender Ruben Dias brought down Alejandro Garnacho. Brooks awarded a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area after Dias crashed into him.

However, the hosts were adamant that the foul was committed inside the box, while Gallagher disagreed and explained on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch: “He’s in great position and he’s also focussed because I’ve said many, many times to referees, you start it at kick-off, you don’t start two minutes into the game.

“You don’t allow it two minutes to see how it pans out and then decide, but because he’s focussed, he’s aware of it. The great thing about it, he sold it brilliantly, because he went straight into the spot. If you look, he goes straight into the spot, points down, that’s where it was. It just killed it, killed all the argument.

“What was incredible, you were doing that [looking at footage] to try and prove him wrong and he was right all along. Massive credit to the referee and to use your word, he could have gambled and given a penalty, and then VAR said no it’s just outside, but no, he didn’t.

“It set him up for the day, didn’t it, because after that, the players trusted him and just went through the game faultlessly.”

Former Liverpool left-back Stephen Warnock also shared his views, adding: “There’s a side to that where I go, I almost wish there wasn’t an element of VAR because referees are good at what they do and they are really good at spotting.

“I think there’s an element where, over the last couple of years, there’s almost been a safety blanket. We talk about this all the time and referees aren’t fully committed to making decisions because they know they’ve got the back up of VAR, whereas, they’re good at what they do.

“I just wish they had more trust in themselves to make better decisions at times and not rely too much on the VAR.”

Meanwhile, another former top-flight referee, Keith Hackett, has disagreed and believes a penalty should have been awarded to United.

He told Football Insider: “It was a close call, and that initial contact appears to be just outside the area – the speed of the player moves the incident closer to the line, which is of course then deemed inside.

“I’ve had the opportunity of looking closely at the replays shown by beIN Sports. The quality of their technical equipment gives clarity to that early decision in the Manchester Derby.

“Referee John Brooks, close to the incident, waved away appeals for a penalty kick. However, looking at the replay evidence shows that the offence was on the line and the outcome should have been the award of a penalty kick.

“Technology on these tight decisions is essential, allowing VAR [Paul] Tierney to make the correct call, rather than the inaccurate intervention and result.”

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