Roy Keane insists officials were RIGHT to award Man United’s controversial FA Cup final penalty

Roy Keane has claimed that officials were correct to award Manchester United with a controversial penalty after Jack Grealish appeared to handle the ball inside the box during their 2-1 FA Cup final tie against Manchester City. 

Ilkay Gundogan put the Citizens a goal up inside the opening minute of the game, linking up with Kevin de Bruyne to fire a simply sensational volley past David de Gea in net, to put their rivals on the back foot. 

But United were awarded a lifeline before half-time, with Grealish conceding what’s been labelled as a ‘harsh’ spot-kick, after he attempted to head clear a through-ball that was destined for Aaron Wan-Bisaka inside the penalty area. 

The ball appeared to strike the England forward’s arm as he jumped into the air and the incident was sent for a VAR review, with Paul Tierney deciding that a foul had been committed.

Bruno Fernandes stepped up to convert the resulting spot kick to bring United back level at 1-1.

Jack Grealish (right) conceded a controversial penalty in the FA Cup final on Saturday

Bruno Fernandes (middle) converted the resulting spot-kick to bring Man United level with Man City after Ilkay Gundogan scored within the opening minute of the match

At half-time, former United captain Roy Keane (pictured) said he thought it was a penalty ‘all day long’

Speaking on ITV’s half-time coverage, both Ian Wright and Joleon Lescott were sympathetic to Grealish, claiming that the decision perhaps shouldn’t have been given. 

‘His arm has come up naturally, it’s natural, it’s a modern day penalty that’s the pens they give,’ said Wright.

Former City defender Lescott added: ‘It’s very harsh the movements they’re making his arm isn’t in an unnatural position. His eyes are closed.’

But Keane had his say on the decision, conversely claiming that the spot-kick was a stone-wall penalty and that United had been given ‘a bit of luck’.

‘He’s still got to score the pen, it’s a great pen,’ he said. ‘I think its a penalty all day long and if anyone wants to know about Lee Dixon, I’ll let you know, he’s a City fan he’s getting really upset – but its a penalty. 

‘I don’t care about proximity but they’ve got a ref and they’ve looked at it. I think he can get out the way. 

After a VAR review referee Paul Tierney (right) awarded the penalty against Grealish (left) 

Tierney reviewed the decision on the pitch-side screens and awarded the controversial penalty 

Ilkay Gundogan (second-left) proved to be the star man for Man City scoring twice in the game

Gundogan (third-from front left) hoisted the FA Cup high after the match with City winning 2-1

Pep Guardiola (middle) will now lead his side out in the Champions League final next week as his side vie to be the first English team since United in 1999 to win the treble

‘He can bring it a touch down you have to leap and use your arms but I think he does raise it up at the end. It’s brill for the game there’s tension.’

‘City didn’t take advantage united have hung in there. Not anything brilliant from united and a bit of luck but they’re growing back into it. United very much in this game and set up for a brilliant second-half.’

And a brilliant start to the second half it was, with City’s star-man Gundogan striking once again early on, booting the ball through a crowded penalty area to put his side ahead once again at 2-1. 

It means that Pep Guardiola’s side will now head into next weekend’s Champions League final against Inter Milan with a chance to win the treble and become the first team, sicne Man United in 1999 to achieve the feat.