Premier League forced to release two Man United VAR statements in late Chelsea referee drama

It wasn't until the final 20 minutes of Manchester United's low-quality 1-1 draw with Chelsea that referee Rob Jones really became too much of a talking point. Before Rob Sanchez clawed away at Rasmus Hojlund's ankles, very little had really happened.

Chelsea complained with minor levels of anger after Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill weren't awarded first-half penalties for incidents with Manuel Ugarte and Lisandro Martinez, but even then the protests didn't go much further than initial shouts. United themselves felt Fofana might have fouled Alejandro Garnacho as he went to cross.

Nothing was referred to a big VAR review, though, and hardly anything cost the game much time. It was a reflection of an opening 45 minutes which demonstrated the weaknesses of both sides.

READ MORE: Ruud van Nistelrooy reacts to Ruben Amorim appointment

READ MORE: United player ratings vs Chelsea as summer signing catches the eye

With under half an hour left, Jones had little choice but to point to the spot after Hojlund delicately took down a long ball and tried to round Sanchez. Heading away from goal, the Chelsea goalkeeper still chose to try and grab the ball. He missed, Hojlund went down, and a penalty was awarded.

Sanchez was up in arms but VAR, looked after by Michael Salisbury and Nick Hopton at Stockley Park, agreed with Jones' call to give Ruud van Nistelrooy's side a prime opportunity to take the lead. Explaining the call via the official Match Centre X (formerly Twitter) account, reasoning was made public by the Premier League.

"The referee awarded a penalty for a foul by Sanchez on Hojlund," it reads. "The VAR checked and confirmed the referee's call." Nice and simple. Bruno Fernandes scored.

Chelsea hit back shortly after