FURIOUS Gary O’Neil slammed VAR Michael Salisbury after Wolves were robbed of an injury-time penalty.

Debutant Manchester United keeper Andre Onana clattered into Sasa Kalajdzic in the box.

Goalkeeper Andre Onana takes out Sasa Kalajdzic

Fans could not believe Manchester United avoided conceding a late penalty

VAR decided to wave off penalty claims

But Salisbury chose not to tell ref Simon Hooper to review the pitchside monitor, leaving O’Neil in a rage.

O’Neil, who was booked for protesting, fumed: “The keeper almost took our centre-forward’s head off.

“But I am not overly surprised we didn’t get it.

“I thought it was a penalty live and again when I watched the replay.

“If you clatter into an attacker that hard it has to be a foul.

“I am really, really surprised.”

It’s not the first time Salisbury has been at the centre of a hugely controversial VAR call.

He was fired from Premier League responsibilities last year after the chief of referees, Howard Webb, apologized for his VAR gaffe in Brighton’s 2-1 loss to Spurs, in which he failed to propose a penalty to the Seagulls.

As revealed by the Wolves coach, the head of the referee team, Jonathan Moss, admitted the situation deserved the penalty and has just issued an apology for the wrong decision.

“I was told directly that they didn’t think it was an obvious and obvious mistake. But after speaking with Jonathan Moss fairly and frankly, he apologized and said it was a clear penalty.”

The referee apologized for not giving a penalty for Man Utd

O’Neil added: “It’s a real difficult decision for the on-field refs, so we can’t just leave it to them because they say no.

“I am disappointed we are going home with nothing and then my booking at the end for claiming a penalty.

“I have spoken to the officials about it already.

“If we are all saying it should have been a penalty then he need to have a look.”

United legend Gary Neville insisted Wolves were robbed.

He declared: “It was a penalty was because Onana was nowhere near the ball.

“He was never getting there so he could’ve made a decision before he jumped.”

Wolves star Matheus Cunha added: “Upset is the word. It was a penalty.”

And fans were left stunned, calling the decision a “robbery”.

One said: “Yes, that should be a stonewall penalty after Onana punched Kalajdzic and completely missed the ball!”

Another added: “Genuinely what is the point of VAR? One of the most blatant penalties you will ever see….not given.”

One agreed: “Wolves have been absolutely robbed of a penalty there, disgraceful.”

Another fumed: “How is that not a penalty, Onana has taken out Sasa Kalajdzic.

Gary O’Neil was booked for protesting as VAR refused to send the referee to review the incident 

“If an outfield player does that I’ve no doubt it’s a penalty, think that’s another example of just how protected goalkeepers are.

“Manchester United extremely fortunate to escape that. That is a baffling decision.”

It meant Raphael Varane’s second-half winner was enough to separate the sides.

And Gary Lineker couldn’t resist a cheeky pun, tweeting: “An opening day 3 points for @ManUtd thanks to VARane.”

United boss Erik ten Hag was relieved the penalty claim went in his favour.

The Dutchman said: “The VAR looked at the incident and it went on our side so we are happy with the points.

“Andre was really brave to come out and I don’t think he had an influence on the touch from the opponent.”

Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s close-range cross was headed in by French defender Varane in the 76th minute to give Man United the victory Wednesday night at Old Trafford.

However, the visitors got 23 efforts on goal under new manager O’Neil, the most from an away club in a Premier League game at Old Trafford since Chelsea’s 25 in November 2005.

O’Neil added: “To come to Old Trafford and have the most shots of any side since 2005 and dominate after just four days of work is exceptional.

“The lads deserved more tonight.”

Man United captain Bruno Fernandes said: “Sometimes you have to find a way to win.”

And match-winner Varane added: “We are very happy. It was a tough game against a very good team. It’s a good start to the season, three points, clean sheet.”

Andre Onana kept a Man Utd clean sheet on his Prem debut