VAR controversy as West Ham go 1-0 up against Man United when ball looked out

West Ham took a shock 1-0 lead against Manchester United in the FA Cup fifth round at Old Trafford but there was huge controversy as the hosts thought the ball had gone out.

After a limp performance, the newly crowned Carabao Cup winners went behind early on in the second half when Said Benrahma curled one into the far corner just inside the box.

But in the build-up, United had appealed the ball had gone out when Tomas Soucek was being pressed by Casemiro on the left touchline.

He flicked the ball through to Emerson Palmieri and with United players stopping and not playing to the whistle, he picked out Benrahma who finished exquisitely.

The goal was given and then the referee checked with VAR, with the decision being that they could not determine whether the whole of the ball had gone out.

Saïd Benrahma is a magician 🎩🪄

West Ham in front but Man Utd aren't happy as they feel the ball went out of play in the lead up 👀

Head to @ITV 1 for this one! pic.twitter.com/KxbFpSrkgY

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 1, 2023

The incident was similar to the scenes in the World Cup when Japan scored a controversial winner against Spain.

At first the goal was initially chalked off as it seemed as though the ball had gone out of play when Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma crossed for Ao Tanaka.

Initial images showed that it was the case but the angles first broadcasted were deceptive and a 4K image later showed that it was the correct call to give the goal as the ball had stayed in marginally.

Overhanging the line still counts as it being in play even if it doesn't always look like it is on first view.

Fans exploded with reaction, with one saying," The ball's gone out of play, and yet the referee & VAR STILL give the goal to West Ham."

Another shared the same view, writing: "Wait so VAR doesn’t have the cameras to see that the ball was out before the West Ham goal?"

A third said: "The ball was literally out of play for West Ham’s goal how is that just allowed happen."

A fourth was left baffled, tweeting: "I replayed that West Ham goal and using just my tv's pause button the ball had gone out of play. How VAR didn't come to the same conclusion with all their technology is beyond me."

United thought they had levelled through Casemiro, but unlike in Sunday's cup final, VAR ruled that he had strayed offside when he headed home.

The Red Devils did equalise not long after though when Nayef Aguerd put through his own net. Alejandro Garnacho bagged a stunning goal to put United ahead, before Fred sealed the win in stoppage time.