EPL is a joke: Wolves get apology from the referee, Man Utd the three points.

Wolves manager Gary O'Neil claimed he had received an apology from referees' boss Jon Moss after Wolves were somehow denied a late penalty that would have given them a point against Manchester United.

Deep into stoppage time, United goalkeeper Andre Onana tried to claim Pedro Neto's cross but instead clattered Wolves substitute Sasa Kalajdzic, knocking him to the ground.

Referee Simon Hooper did not give a spot-kick and even though the decision was checked, VAR Michael Salisbury upheld it, with Hooper's original call bizarrely not deemed a clear and obvious error.

A furious O'Neil was booked for his reaction and then detailed his conversation with Moss, who manages the Premier League referees.

'I've spoken to Jon Moss and fair play to him, he apologized, said it was a blatant penalty and that it should have been given,' said O'Neil. 'It probably made me feel worse. 

'When you know you were right about something it makes you feel worse about leaving a game with nothing.'

Wolves had a number of grievances with officials last season and had at least one apology from referees' chief Howard Webb. O'Neil added: 'I don't think the officials are trying to favor one side.

'I just think it's human nature. If there's a decision you're not sure about, everyone would be impacted by the Old Trafford crowd and the fact it's Manchester United.

'That's why I think VAR should be able to help more in those situations. Before I spoke to Jon Moss I was told it was not a clear and obvious error.

'It looked like the keeper nearly took our center-forward's head off. If you go for the ball and clatter the player that hard, it is a penalty.

'At first I thought the referee was coming over to look at the screen but unfortunately he booked me and not Onana for smashing our center-forward.

'I understand the rules [of sticking with the on-field decisions as much as possible], but I don't fully accept it. Hopefully over the season we get our fair share of decisions.'

Had they been given a penalty and scored, it would have been the least Wolves deserved.

United's midfield was overrun at times, though the visitors paid for their wastefulness when Raphael Varane headed home in the 76th minute.

United manager Erik ten Hag was critical of his side but after starting last season with two defeats, he was relieved to get off the mark.

'It was a tough game,' he said. 'The start of the season is always difficult and we can be much better on the ball. But we fought for our lives and we survived and got three points.

On the penalty he added: 'When VAR looked at it and decided not to give it, of course we were pleased. Andre didn't interfere and it's about the decision of the VAR and the referee.'