The Premier League has confirmed that VAR checked and upheld the on-field decision not to award Manchester United a penalty after the ball struck Calvin Bassey’s hand during Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage, a call that left Michael Carrick fuming despite United rescuing a point.

The flashpoint came in the 86th minute when Lisandro Martinez clipped the ball towards the Fulham backline, only for it to strike Bassey’s hand. United players immediately surrounded the referee, but after a VAR review, play was allowed to continue.

How the Premier League explained the call

The Premier League Match Centre published the transcript of the officials’ conversation on X on 20 September, laying out the reasoning behind the no-penalty verdict. The assistant referee flagged that the ball had made contact but noted Bassey’s arm was close to his body, and the on-field call of play on was subsequently confirmed by VAR on review.

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According to The Sun, that explanation was echoed by all three officials involved, with the VAR check ultimately confirming the on-field call exactly as described in real time. The breakdown of the key moment reads as follows.

Minute Incident On-Field Decision VAR Outcome 86? Martinez cross strikes Bassey’s arm Play on, no penalty Confirmed on review

Gary Neville, working for Sky Sports, argued Fulham were fortunate to escape a penalty, suggesting it was strange for a defender to have his hands up in that position, since it invites exactly this kind of scrutiny from officials.

Another VAR flashpoint for United

The Bassey incident is the latest decision to frustrate United supporters, coming not long after a separate officiating controversy involving Manchester City that has already left United feeling hard done by this season. That earlier row is explored in more depth in Stretty News’ coverage of the disputed VAR call in the Manchester derby, though the specifics of that incident sit outside what the Premier League has confirmed regarding Fulham.

Whatever the rights and wrongs of the Bassey call, United ultimately had late drama of their own to thank for a share of the spoils, with Matheus Cunha’s 89th-minute strike sparing Carrick’s blushes.

Carrick’s bigger concern

The bigger issue for Carrick was not the officiating but the performance in front of it. United were lethargic for large spells at Craven Cottage, regularly outrun by the hosts, and while they created a handful of chances – with the woodwork denying them twice – the overall display did little to ease growing concern around Old Trafford.

It is a pattern United fans will recognise from United’s recent draw against Everton, another game defined by a late twist rather than control. With his own position under scrutiny, Carrick’s most pressing job now is fixing the alarming drop-off in fitness levels that has undermined United’s performances well before any contentious VAR call comes into play.

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