Ok, got updated info for VAR process in #BURMUN

The VAR, Stuart Attwell, looked at the possible red card for the challenge by Luke Shaw, but determined it was not a red card.

The VAR decided it should be a red card to Robbie Brady for denying a goalscoring opportunity. (cont)

The VAR then looks at the attacking phase, and refers back to the Shaw challenge. He decided it was in the attacking phase.

Kevin Friend was shown the Shaw foul challenge. The referee was then shown the rest of the move so he could agree it was in the attacking phase. (cont)

The referee books Shaw because in a VAR review all disciplinary action should be taken. Even though it was not a red card review, Friend could still have sent Shaw off.

Options open to Friend were:
1) Shaw red / yellow / nothing & Burnley FK
2) Brady red / yellow & Man Utd FK

The Brady card was cancelled because anything after the Shaw tackle 'no longer happened'.

This applies only to denying a goalscoring opportunity or stopping an attack.

Cards stand for serious foul play, reckless challenge, dissent, violent conduct, unsporting behaviour, etc.

And for anyone questioning that the attacking phase of play could be reviewed.

Well it can't on a red card review. EXCEPT for denying a goal-scoring opportunity, which was the case here.

Adding to this thread to discuss other incidents from Tuesday night.

Luke Shaw and Billy Sharp were both very lucky to escape reds. Shaw especially so because the referee was at the monitor.

This all comes back to what I have discussed previously: force and intensity.

I have, on several occasions, posted images of tackles where the contact on the opponent is just above the ankle. Some are red, some are yellow.

Force and intensity will remain subjective. You won't get absolute consistency here as no incident will be exactly the same.

As an illustration, only one of these challenges (Lundstram) led to a red card.

This kind of tackle happens pretty much every weekend, and whether the force and intensity is excessive is key (not just point of contact), and a touch on the ball won't save a player.

I've reviewed the penalty claim against Harry Maguire and, despite the images on here, there appears to be no video evidence the ball hits his arm.

This isn't to categorically say it didn't, but the replays don't provide any definitive evidence the VAR could be certain about.

I've watched the incident several times.

Replays suggest the ball hits the shoulder of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, then the head of Ben Mee, and back onto the arm of Wan-Bissaka (in a natural position).

It doesn't appear to touch Harry Maguire's arm, but would have been a penalty.

On the disallowed Maguire goal, as I've said before the VAR won't overrule when there is evidence of a possible foul.

As Maguire had his right arm in the back of Erik Pieters like this, the VAR won't get involved. But the ref should not have disallowed it. Very soft.

Finally, on the Sheffield United penalty. There is no foul by Sharp on Federico Fernandez.

If the penalty had been given at this point, with the players' arms locked, the VAR may not have recommended the penalty as Sharp could be judged to be influencing the defender's action.

The penalty was given for the handball just afterwards, when he looked down and made a movement towards the ball with his hand. It's a definite penalty.

No red for Fernandez as Sharp doesn't have control of the ball, so it can't be an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.