'It’s a sending off. He’s pulled his shirt' . . . 'it was a poor decision' - what Liverpool legend and other pundits had to say about refereeing controversy in Sheffield United's defeat at Arsenal

The Blades have now lost their first four games of the league season and only goal difference separates them from Fulham at the bottom of the table.

But once again there was more controversy involving the match officials and VAR with referee Lee Mason failing to send off Arsenal defender David Luiz in the second minute for pulling back Oli Burke as he charged towards the penalty area, which allowed Bernd Leno time to dart off his line and clear.

The incident had echoes of the incident which saw John Egan shown a red card for a foul on Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins on the opening day of the season.

But following another defeat, are United as bad as the fledgling league table suggests or have they been unlucky once again?

Let’s take a look at what some of the games’ pundits have said about Chris Wilder’s side following their loss against the Gunners and THAT refereeing decision.

Jermaine Jenas, former Spurs and England midfielder and Match of the Day pundit

“It’s a red card, it’s as simple as that. It was a poor decision. You’ll see clearly that David Luiz gets caught by Oliver Burke and he pulls on his shirt. If he goes down David Luiz gets sent off.”

Alan Shearer, ex-Newcastle United and England striker and Match of the Day pundit

“He (Burke) shouldn’t have to go down there. VAR should be telling (the referee) and that is what it’s there for to say ‘yes, that should be a red card’.”

Graeme Souness, former Liverpool and Scotland midfielder and Sky Sports pundit

“It’s a sending off. He’s pulled his shirt. It’s a sloppy pass from Gabriel, not enough pace on it, David Luiz has to take a touch and he pulls his shirt.

"He’s pulled his shirt, the question to ask is how much is he taking off the pace of Oli Burke running for the ball?

"If he doesn’t pull his shirt, he’s at least a metre further away than what that picture shows.

"It’s about opinions, he may have got there in enough time to get it before Leno, take it around him and tuck it into an empty net."

Patrice Evra, ex-Manchester United and France defender and Sky Sports pundit

“If I was Sheffield United manager I would be furious. I don’t like when players dive, don’t get me wrong, but this is a sending off.“You can see they (the Sheffield United players) tell the referee but he’s like ‘guys, it’s Sunday, give me peace.'”

Ally McCoist, former Rangers and Scotland striker and talkSPORT presenter

“I think Sheffield United’s work-rate will see them through. They’re a good side and they really were organised. I think their problem maybe scoring enough goals. I think they’ll be fine in terms of where they will be in the league.

"I just worry about them in terms of in front of goal. They need to score more goals. I know McGoldrick scored at the weekend and had a wee chance late on. They’ve got Burke and McBurnie and boys like that. Billy Sharp is probably on the wrong side age-wise in terms of his career, but he’s been a tremendous goalscorer.

"But Sheffield United will be fine.”

Ben Haines – 90 Min creative director and BBC Football Daily podcast contributor

“I don’t think at this stage there’s massive need for alarm, just yet, for Sheffield United. I think Chris Wilder is a really, really good manager and they actually have enough dynamism and flexibility and the way that they play – to be able to adapt and adjust. But I do think they are one of the sides that is massively, massively missing fans.

"Their fans were almost carrying them and the result I always come back to and the game I remember is against Man United last year. It always sticks out in my mind and it felt like they were playing two levels above themselves, primarily because their home support was just so good.

"So (their poor start is) an element of being found out, an element of other teams kind of adapting and getting used to playing them and also a lack of momentum perhaps hindering them, but I don’t think there’s need to panic just yet.”

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