Erik ten Hag has told his Man Utd players they can't rely on the decisions of referees (Image: GETTY)
Erik ten Hag has told his Manchester United players they cannot rely on the decision of officials to bail them out of trouble all season. The Dutchman was making reference to the controversial call that saw Wolves denied a stoppage-time penalty at Old Trafford on Monday as the Red Devils kickstarted their season with a fortuitous 1-0 victory.
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Goalkeeper Andre Onana clattered into Wolves striker Sasa Kalajdzic as the duo challenged for Pedro Neto's cross.
Yet despite a lengthy VAR review, United were handed a major let-off as Onana somehow got away with the clumsy challenge.
PGMOL chief Howard Webb has since been in contact with Wolves to apologise that they were not awarded a spot-kick.
Now Ten Hag has reacted to that news, accepting that his side were rather fortunate.
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"But we don't want to be dependent on the decisions of the referee."
Onana remains adamant the referee and VAR officials made the right call following a hairy Premier League debut.
The former Inter Milan goalkeeper has had a rude awakening to life in English football after also being lobbed from the halfway line in the friendly victory over Lens at Old Trafford.
Wolves boss Gary O'Neil vented his frustration after the defeat, stating: "Jon Moss said it was a blatant penalty and should have been given - fair play to him, he apologised.
"I have spent a lot of time with him today to understand the new guidelines, trying not to get myself booked in the first game, which I have failed in.
"But fair play to Jon for coming out and saying it was a clear and obvious error - he couldn't believe the on-field referee didn't give it and can't believe VAR [video assistant referee] didn't intervene.
"It probably made me feel worse, actually, because you know you are right. I feel worse about leaving with nothing. Live, I was told they didn't think it was a clear and obvious error."