United manager Chris Wilder doesn’t believe video technology and TV replays to determine whether key decisions are right would be good for the game.

There has been a clamour in some quarters for technology to come in, following Thierry Henry’s clear handball – which was missed by the officials – in setting up France’s goal as they ended the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup hopes.

There have also been many people claiming that Henry should have admitted to what he did straight away.

But Wilder said: “It’s a really difficult situation he was in because if he stuck his hand up afterwards to say ‘I did handle it’, everyone outside France would say what a fantastic guy he is, but he’d be pilloried, and possibly lynched, right through France!

“These things happen in sport.

“In cricket, when you nick one and don’t walk, it’s the same.

“It’s a very difficult situation he’s put himself in. But it’s gone against the Irish – I thought they were absolutely superb.

“France were 12-1 on to qualify, so that was a team that was given no chance of getting a result and, from my personal point of view, they deserved to go through.”

The U’s boss added: “I don’t think video technology should come in for things like this. Goalline technology yes, but not here.

“I just think refereeing decisions are part and parcel of the game, it’s a talking point for everyone.

“Football’s a fast-flowingcontact sport that people get up heads of steam in – as you saw when we scored against Yeovil – and if you keep stopping and starting, it just ruins the game.”