Why Newcastle star Anthony Gordon was denied penalty vs Man United

Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon is understood to have not been awarded a penalty against Manchester United because the contact on him was minimal.

United went a goal down at Old Trafford after a bright start on the half-hour mark. The ball fell loose in the away penalty area allowing Kobbie Mainoo to slot the ball underneath Martin Dubravka.

However, Eddie Howe's men felt they should have had an immediate opportunity to level things up when Gordon burst into the area and was caught on the heel by Sofyan Amrabat. Casemiro then slid in to make a fair challenge but the damage was plain to see as Gordon's sock was visibly ripped.

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Chronicle Live understands VAR did not see the challenge from Amrabat to be substantial enough to overturn the on-field decision and quickly cleared it. However, on Sky Sports, Wayne Rooney was adamant that a spot kick should have been awarded.

He said: "Yeah I think it's a penalty. Casemiro does well with his tackle but Amrabat catches him on his left heel, it's a penalty for me.

"He takes him out. Newcastle are very unfortunate."

After the game a frustrated Gordon gave his thoughts on the decision which could have had a major impact on the match. In an impassioned rant, the winger told Sky Sports: "Really sore. I am not too sure how good my ankle will be.

"I have watched the incident back, it's a clear penalty. I don't mind the referee getting it wrong on the pitch because it is a difficult decision, things happen really quickly.

"But I don't understand what the point of VAR is then. It's here to correct mistakes. He goes down my Achilles and pushes me in the back.

"Casemiro comes and gets the ball but there's two fouls before that. I honestly don't see the point in it.

"I knew straight away, that's why I didn't appeal. Because I thought 'I don't mind the referee not giving it'. It's fast.

"But I will wait for the VAR to check, you can see me telling my teammates: 'Don't worry, it's a clear penalty.' Then we carry on and it's just like...

"My sock, I have got no sock left so how is it possible? I don't understand the point of it. I really don't."

Premier League clubs will vote next month on whether to keep VAR in the Premier League or not. After that decision, Gordon is in two minds.

He concluded: "It's a big decision, I am actually quite fond of it. In terms of like...I am fond of the idea. It should be a thing that works in the League but it's not. There are constantly too many mistakes.

"Like I have said, we missed too many chances there to blame anyone else. But we could go 1-0 up and then the game changes.

"It's a clear, clear and obvious mistake. I don't know how you can get it wrong.

"So either get rid of it or get better."