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Gary Neville launches frustrated rant at 'disgraceful' Man Utd penalty decision
Manchester United found themselves 2-0 down against Crystal Palace in dubious circumstances.
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Manchester United legend Gary Neville was in utter disbelief at the series of events which led to Crystal Palace's second goal in their Premier League opening fixture. United were given an extra week's rest at the start of the Premier League season due to their involvement in the latter stages of the Europa League.
But they were not at the races early on against Palace on Saturday with United struggling to find a foothold in the game.
Andros Townsend gave Palace a deserved 1-0 lead early on with United proving toothless in front of goal.
Palace remained the team likeliest to find the game's second goal and eventually it did come, although under very controversial circumstances.
Andre Ayew burst into the box and poked an effort at goal which cannoned off Victor Lindelof's arm, who was only two yards away from the Palace forward.
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Referee Martin Atkinson went over to the screen on the side of the pitch to take a look at the incident after VAR completed their check and he awarded a penalty.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be seen gesturing on the sidelines in disbelief and Neville shared that same view.
"I thought the penalty to Leeds last week was a nonsense and so is this one," he said on commentary.
"It is never a penalty. Not a chance. Lindelof didn't have a clue [where the ball was]."
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David de Gea was able to save Ayew's effort but VAR quickly made the call for the penalty to be retaken as the United goalkeeper was adjudged to have left his line too early.
Replays indicated he did, but only by a matter of centre meters.
And Neville was once again left bewildered at the decision.
"That is an absolute disgrace," he said.
"We are talking millimetres. This is unbelievable."
Despite the dubious double-decision going against United, Neville had no doubts that Palace were deserving of their lead.
"The fact is that Palace have just been better," he added.
Wilfried Zaha took over penalty duties the second time and made no mistake from the spot.
United did half the deficit minutes later when new signing Donny van de Beek found the net.
But Zaha killed off any hope of a comeback with an impressive finish from outside the box late on.