Richard Keys has claimed that VAR is 'giving referees' an excuse to avoid tough decisions after Simon Hooper failed to award Wolves a clear penalty against Man United.
The Red Devils were winning a tight game 1-0 when new goalkeeper Andre Onana rushed out to claim a cross before missing the ball and taking out two Wolves attackers.
Hooper did not see an issue with the attempt while VAR Michael Salisbury and assistant VAR Richard West did not intervene.
This led to the trio being dropped from the next round of Premier League fixtures, while Wolves were issued an apology for the mistake after the match.
For Keys, the issue is how VAR has changed the approach referees take to tough calls. He told BeIN SPorts: 'We don't need VAR when things are as clear and obvious as that.
'You're giving the referee an excuse. My point is that he shouldn't have to go and check, because it was so clear that we didn't need VAR.'
The pundit when on to argue that Hooper had been cowed by the atmosphere at Old Trafford and let it affect his decision making.
'In COVID, with empty stadiums, [Hooper] gives that,' he said. 'At the other end, he gives that. He is intimidated by being at Old Trafford.'
Andy Gray saw a different issue with VAR, arguing that referees should always be encouraged to check their monitors if a mistake has been made.
He argued: '[Referees] make mistakes, we get that, but if VAR has seen something, get the referee go and look at it.
'I don't like the game to be interrupted, but when it's as obvious as that, surely the referee should go and check.'
Despite being below their best against Wolves, United held on to win the game 1-0 thanks to a Raphael Varane goal.
The Red Devils will next be in action against Tottenham in the late kick off, while Wolves currently trail 2-0 to Brighton.
