'Imagine if we’re denied Europe by that...' - furious Sheffield United fans react to major technology blunder in drab Aston Villa draw

But the main talking point following the drab affair at Villa Park was the goal that never was for Chris Wilder’s men after the home side’s goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland fell behind the goalline clutching the ball from Ollie Norwood’s free kick to the far post.

Astonishingly, the goal was not given despite TV replays clearly showing Nyland had carried the ball over the line because referee Michael Oliver’s Hawk-Eye system failed to notify him.

After the game, Hawk-Eye released a statement apologising to United for the major technological failure – saying it had never happened before ‘in over 9,000 matches that the Hawk-Eye Goal Line Technology system has been in operation’.

However, the draw is a setback for United’s push for European football and Blades fans were far from impressed with the blunder.

Here’s what a selection of supporters had to say on Twitter.

@MattCasbolt Poor performance, nowhere near our usual tenacity & rhythm, terrible game of football (was always going to be), but....on any another day it’s an awkward away game where you knick a win by a GK error from a setpiece. Imagine if we’re denied Europe by that... #sufc #twitterblades

@Jules_Skirrow Only in the @premierleague can you have a goal disallowed for a shoe lace being over the offside line and for the ball completely crossing the line! Perfect example of the hierarchy at Premier League HQ “not working” #twitterblades #sufc

@WillyRoberts It's so Sheffield United to get done by a 1 in 9,000 fluke. #sufc #twitterblades #AVLSHU

@Algarvegit Bit rusty today but the positives, again, a clean sheet n a point. The negative - technology introduced to correct clear and obvious errors shafts us again #twitterblades #sufc

@vstox #sufc #twitterblades I'm not a vindictive man. More than happy to accept a public flogging for the linesman and a couple of billion from Hawkeye. #skyfootballshow #PremierLeague

@_joshchapman98 That decision aside, thought we were fairly poor tonight. Didn’t think Norwood was very good, and thought Berge still looked massively unfit. But, first game back, to be expected I guess. Can only get better! #sufc #twitterblades

@L_Naughts9 Why always us with the wrong decision?! #twitterblades #SheffieldUnited #Blades #sufc

@poppypea09 Shouldn’t be relying on technology any human with eyesight could see the ball was clearly over the line that goes for the linesman too #sufc #Twitterblades

@DemBladesDavid Hawkeye 1-0 Sheffield United. Had to happen to us, didn't it? #sufc #twitterblades #PremierLeague #bbcfootball #AVLSHU

@scottperrins1 Can’t blame it on the ref, the technology was at fault, can’t change it so what’s point dwelling on it? On to the next one! UTB! #sufc #twitterblades

@Neil1889 Won one nil but only get one point, the most Sheffield United thing ever. #sufc #twitterblades