Manchester City took to Wembley Stadium on Saturday in the FA Cup final, with Guardiola's men facing bitter rivals Manchester United in the ultimate showdown. And just as was the case in their run-in at Old Trafford, this tie was riddled with controversial VAR decisions.

The Cityzens got off to a spectacular start. Only 13 seconds after kick-off, the Premier League champions went 1-0 up courtesy of a brilliant Ilkay Gundogan volley, which shocked everyone at the stadium and those watching across the globe. However, the Red Devils eventually worked their way back into the game and here is where the contention starts.

The first divisive decision involved Casemiro, who caught Manuel Akanji with his studs at roughly – if not above – the ankle area. The Swiss defender was left in tremendous pain and while he was fortunately able to continue without injury, some Man City fans were left frustrated after VAR refused to get involved in what could have been a sending off on another day.

Was Casemiro lucky not be shown a card for this tackle? #FACupFinal pic.twitter.com/3IXArZDERK

— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) June 3, 2023

Around the half-an-hour mark came the second incident. Manchester United had a penalty shout after what appeared to be a handball from Jack Grealish. The on-field referee waved play on but the proceedings was ultimately halted by VAR, who recommended a review. The replays showed Aaron Wan-Bissaka's header stroking Grealish's fingers inside the box, and thus the spot kick was awarded, but fans took issue with this decision as well as it felt harsh on the English winger.

Debate: Penalty or no penalty? pic.twitter.com/dIsUqfXkHG

— Football Tweet (@Football__Tweet) June 3, 2023

And then came the third controversy, which occurred shortly after Manchester United's penalty. Bruno Fernandes converted from the spot to equalize for the Red Devils but Guardiola's men entered the break feeling they deserved a penalty of their own.

Penalty or no penalty? pic.twitter.com/L1c82WHbrb

— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) June 3, 2023

This came after Kevin de Bruyne was brought down in the box after an attempt from Fred to block the Belgian from reaching the ball. Whether the Brazilian's actions were enough to merit a spot kick is the question of the hour but the Man City fans felt hard done by. 

Speechless pic.twitter.com/IjYo9VITCy

— ManCityzens (@ManCityzenscom) June 3, 2023

No red card for Casemiro
Handball by Jack Grealish

Two big decisions from VAR in favour of Man United pic.twitter.com/fHUTsEJzcQ

— SPORTbible (@sportbible) June 3, 2023

This foul from Casemiro on Akanji. pic.twitter.com/lJCyuedDq9

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 3, 2023

- Nasty challenge by Casemiro, a short check by VAR but no consequences for him. pic.twitter.com/l117j1qr2D

— (@TheEuropeanLad) June 3, 2023

How on earth is that a penalty?

— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) June 3, 2023

Between the red card on Casemiro and that farce of a penalty call, David Coote is single-handedly altering the direction of this final. That call is not just wrong. It's pure incompetence. It's fired at him from somewhere he isn't even looking, less than a foot away.

— JB™️ (@gunnerpunner) June 3, 2023

Jack Grealish hands move towards the ball in the exact same way Luke Shaw did vs Brighton. 100% penalty!

— Terry Flewers (@terryflewers) June 3, 2023

By the letter of the law as it's currently written, it's a penalty but the rule itself is the problem. pic.twitter.com/wQw5aLmDpm

— HLTCO (@HLTCO) June 3, 2023

Yes, that should have been a penalty to Manchester City as Kevin De Bruyne was taken out by Fred just as he was about to reach the ball in the box pic.twitter.com/qVqP1gai2o

— Has the Referee or VAR made a poor decision? (@PoorEPLreferees) June 3, 2023

[31'] VAR Decision: Penalty. Disgraceful decision. https://t.co/hOl29kSwJv

— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) June 3, 2023

Fortunately for the treble chasers, they reclaimed the lead in the second half through Ilkay Gundogan once again. The German ace completed his brace courtesy of another volley, albeit a scuffed on this time around, as the midfielder's effort crept past an unsighted David de Gea.