Michael Owen told Premier League Productions during their live coverage of Leeds’ 0-0 draw with Manchester United on Sunday that Luke Shaw’s handball was ‘obviously not intentional’.
In the first half, there were penalty calls from Leeds players when they thought Shaw handled the ball inside the area, but VAR opted against punishing the Manchester United left-back.
After it was goals galore at Old Trafford last time out, yesterday’s game was a bit of a damp squib in Yorkshire, with Leeds securing yet another valuable point against a team in Europe.
But this was Owen’s take on the controversial call, which seemingly fell in Manchester United’s favour yesterday.
“It’s obviously not intentional why would it be intentional,” said Owen. “I totally agree with the VAR, the ref isn’t going to give it.
“You cannot say that is clear and obvious. We are sort of saying ‘is it or isn’t it’, so I agree with what VAR has done.
“If the referee had given it then I would haven’t sat here complaining either. It’s a 50-50, for me. I am sat on the fence.”
It was a game for the more defensive-minded players, which not many thought they would be saying before a ball was kicked at Elland Road.
Kalvin Phillips was perhaps the standout performer, but in truth, both teams just couldn’t get their engine going.
In the end, the game was more reminiscent of two teams battling relegation rather than two sitting in the top half of the Premier League table and trying to get at each other’s throats.
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