FA Cup final: Should Dean Henderson have been sent off?

Guardiola cut an irritated figure in the immediate aftermath of the match, appearing to exchange words with Henderson on the pitch.

When later questioned about the confrontation he described it as “nothing”, while he also refused to be drawn on the handball decision itself, replying simply: “Ask the referee.”

Rooney, who won the FA Cup with victory for United against Palace in 2016, was incredulous on BBC punditry duty, saying: “It is a red card – 100% a red card.

“Erling Haaland is about to knock it around him and Dean Henderson sweeps the ball away.

“It is a red card – how can they get this wrong?”

After hearing the VAR reaction, Rooney added: “Just get rid of VAR.

“They have made a mistake and now they are trying to cover up. It is a red card and everyone can see it’s a red card.

“To come out with all this rubbish…”

Former England captain Alan Shearer added: “Dean Henderson was slightly fortunate.

“The law is that he is running away from goal, but Henderson’s also stopping a possible goalscoring opportunity.”