Paul Robinson has claimed Man United had “a strong case” for a penalty when Kieran Trippier tripped Cristiano Ronaldo inside the 18-yard box.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Spurs and England number one said referee Craig Pawson could not award the Red Devils a spot-kick because of a previous decision in the game.
Ronaldo went to ground following a challenge from Trippier in the second half of United’s goalless draw with Newcastle.
Referee Craig Pawson did not adjudge the contact to be worthy of a penalty and VAR official Jarred Gillett did not deem a clear and obvious error to have been made.
In the first half, Raphael Varane was not penalised for a challenge on Callum Wilson inside the 18-yard box.
Robinson believes the referee could not award Ronaldo a penalty because of his decision not to award Wilson one.
“It is very similar to the Wilson one in my eyes,” he told Football Insider. “They are almost the same when you look at them closely.
“If you don’t give the first one you cannot give the second. That is the problem.
“We want consistency from referees and at least he was consistent with it.
“There is a strong case for both to be penalties, there really is. There is contact in both instances. If you give one, you have to give the other and vice versa.”