On a tumultuous night in Copenhagen, there were seven goals, two penalties, a “game-changing” red card, a protester on the field, and a late victory by a 17-year-old substitute – but we’re left talking about VAR once more.

In a week when video technology has made headlines for its involvement in Monday’s craziness at Tottenham Hotspur, it came to the fore to make important decisions in Denmark as Manchester United suffered a humiliating Champions League defeat.

United boss Erik ten Hag stated that dismissing Marcus Rashford for planting his foot on Elias Jelert’s ankle “changed the game.” The visitors were leading 2-0 at the time. “In real time, it’s just not a red,” Paul Scholes, a former Manchester United player, told TNT Sports.

TNT Sports co-commentator Robbie Savage, on the other hand, disagreed with Scholes. “That’s a red card in my book,” the former Wales midfielder added. “At first, I thought he just turned, but I believe that is a red card.” When you look at it from another viewpoint, he has gone to protect the ball, and in doing so, he has stamped on his shin, which is a red card.”

Referee Donatas Rumsas would be called to the pitchside monitor twice more during the game to award penalties for handball, both of which were branded as “soft” by Scholes’ ex-United teammate and TNT studio partner, Owen Hargreaves.

With Manchester United still smarting from another humiliating defeat, they face a big assignment to qualify for the last 16. BBC Sport sorts through the mayhem and controversy in the Danish city.

MAN UTD SEE RED

After possibly their most accomplished 25 minutes of the season at the start of Wednesday’s encounter, everything seemed to be going swimmingly for United.Rasmus Hojlund’s two close-range finishes put the visitors in complete command.

The referee was then alerted to Rashford’s indiscretion – the planting of his foot on Jelert’s ankle in what appeared to be a mistimed attempt to shield the ball – with 42 minutes on the clock. A review and red card were issued as a result. “I think we played very well at first until the red card.” Everything changed when the red card was thrown. “Then it’s a different game,” Ten Hag explained.

“It was a tough decision because he was going for the ball.” When the review was finished, he went up to the screen. “I believe the referee was unsure.” When questioned if it was a red, pundit Hargreaves was more candid.”Not in a million years,” he responded. “Marcus is just trying to put his leg out to protect the ball. “When you look at a still [photo], it is horrifying, but in real life, he is not attempting to foul him. It’s not malevolent; it’s just a blunder, a blunder.

“They need to stop re-refereeing these games because it’s ruining them.” That’s when things changed.” “It’s understanding what Rashford is trying to do,” Scholes remarked. He’s unintentionally stood on his leg. “He believes he is planting his leg and safeguarding the ball. It’s not a harsh challenge, and it happened by chance. This is where the referee’s knowledge of the game must be called into doubt.”

Paying the penalty

Ten Hag was also sure that the two goals conceded by his team to tie the game before halftime should not have counted, citing VAR once more. “We concede two goals that shouldn’t count,” he told reporters. “The first is offside – a player is in front of [Andre] Onana.” What can you do about the second [penalty]?

“In other games, we have to cope with a lot of decisions that go against us. That’s the way it is. However, the season is long. It will eventually work in our favor.”The first goal Ten Hag refers to was scored by Mohamed Elyounoussi, with United manager Jose Mourinho believing Elias Achouri was obstructing goalkeeper Andre Onana’s view while in an offside position.

The second came in the middle of 13 added minutes in a first half delayed for lengthy periods by a protester on the pitch and a medical emergency in the crowd. For this, VAR was again used to adjudge that Harry Maguire had handled while attempting to clear. Diogo Goncalves levelled from the spot.

In the first 25 minutes of a second half United again controlled, even with 10 men, the referee evened up the penalty count, with video technology utilised to decide that Lukas Lerager had handled. Bruno Fernandes slotted home to make it 3-2. “Where the confusion comes in is if that’s in England I don’t think that’s a penalty,” said Hargreaves of the penalty Copenhagen conceded. “It needs to be aligned across Europe. “It is incredibly harsh. I thought the Maguire penalty was soft, and that was even softer.

“The whole VAR thing, the last couple of weeks it’s got a little bit out of control. It’s taking a little bit away from the game. We want to see games decided on the pitch and not on screens, and at the moment a lot of these games are being decided on screens. “Whether you love or hate VAR, it’s just becoming a bigger part of the game than we all thought.

“The Champions League is so amazing, the football is so amazing – the game shouldn’t be slowed down and stopped. The reason these games are so good is the speed of the games, and we’re slowing them down to a still on a screen.” There was still time for a sting in the tail of Wednesday’s game, as poor defending by United allowed Lerager to level again before 17-year-old substitute Roony Bardghji struck the winner with three minutes of normal time left.

“I saw lots of positives, but in the end we lost some focus. It’s hard when you play so long with 10 men,” added Ten Hag. “That [the opening of the game] was the best 20 minutes I saw from my side. Also with 10 we were still controlling the game. It’s very disappointing. We fought so hard, played so good. Still we don’t have one point.”

What United have in total is three points in Group A, one fewer than Copenhagen and Galatasaray. They next travel to Turkey to face Galatasaray, before a final home game with already qualified Bayern Munich.