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Man United receive new VAR verdict on Patrick Dorgu goal as Matheus Cunha accused

Patrick Dorgu rescued a point for Manchester United as they drew 4-4 with Aston Villa, but the headed strike has been subject to controversy

United's fourth goal being scored against Villa

Manchester United left it late to draw with Aston Villa(Image: Sky Sports)

Manchester United have been told that Patrick Dorgu's late leveller against Aston Villa was rightly allowed to stand by a former Premier League referee. The Dane headed home from a corner in the sixth minute of added time on Sunday to tie the game at 4-4 after opposing goalkeeper Zion Suzuki claimed he was fouled.

United went into the game against Villa in need of a result with manager Michael Carrick under immense pressure, but they found themselves 2-0 down inside five minutes. They fought back to 2-2 only to trail 4-3 as the second half petered out. A late corner gave Carrick's men hope and goalkeeper Senne Lammens ventured forward.

Dorgu then sent fans wild with a last-gasp equaliser, but the goal has caused a stir. As the corner came in, Villa shot-stopper Suzuki attempted to punch the ball but missed. He reckoned he was fouled, with Lammens close to him and Matheus Cunha behind him.

The Villa players and Suzuki protested after Dorgu scored, but the goal was given and a point was saved. Now, an ex-official believes the right call was made, and the goalkeeper was not fouled - yet not everyone agrees.

Ex-Premier League referee Gallagher told Sky Sports: "I think it is a goal - does he make a lot of contact? He does make contact. There is no doubt about that.

Manchester United's Danish defender #13 Patrick Dorgu (2nd R) celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's fourth goal to equalise, during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Aston Villa

Dorgu tied the game in the dying embers(Image: Getty)

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"Is Suzuki strong enough? I am not sure. We saw last week against Fulham a similar incident where he goes to punch the ball. He goes into an area that is congested and once he gets there, he needs to get a firm punch on it and he does not.

"There is minimal contact, although there is contact, there is no doubt about that. Lammens is not looking at the ball and that does go against him, but is he looking to find a space, so it is harder for the goalkeeper to come through?

"It is one where the referee makes the decision and we talk about VAR assisting the referee, it has to be about the referee, who says 'No' and I think the referee is right."

Former Villa manager Tim Sherwood joined Gallagher on a panel. He thinks Cunha was the primary offender and admits that whilst he thinks the goalkeeper was fouled, the referee understandably did not blow his whistle. He said: "I think it is a foul, but do you get it in the 96th minute at Old Trafford? No.

"Is Lammens looking at the ball? No. He is a goalkeeper and knows how much contact he needs to give Suzuki there. The main offender was Cunha, who grabs Suzuki's left arm, which is what stops him."

Jay Bothroyd, who made 62 top-flight appearances during his career, thinks that Suzuki needed to do better with the delivery, but he reckons it was a foul. He said: "I do think Suzuki needs to be better. He needs to be stronger and get a punch away.

Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu of Manchester United scores a goal to make the score 4-4 during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Aston Villa FC

Opinions are split on the goal(Image: Getty)

"Lammens clearly does not have his eyes on the ball, he is going into the 'keeper to put him off and there was some contact there when he went into him. If they had blown up for that, I would have known why. I think it is a foul as he is not looking at the ball and has gone into the 'keeper."

Roy Keane, on the other hand, says that the Villa goalkeeper simply failed to deal with the ball in and there was no infraction from any United stars. His comments even prompted Villa's director of football operations, Damian Vidagany, to clap back.

Keane stated on Sky Sports: "I don't think Suzuki gives himself the best chance of getting it, he's underneath it, just take a step back and attack it. There are bodies in the way, but there's lots going on, football is a contact sport. I have no problem with it."

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