Furious Manchester United fans have slammed referee John Brooks and VAR after a controversial first-half call against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
United manager Erik ten Hag, who has faced mounting criticism this season, went into the Premier League clash under immense pressure after back-to-back defeats.
The Red Devils were outclassed in a 3-0 defeat against Manchester City last month before crashing out of the Carabao Cup in a 3-0 loss to Newcastle on Wednesday.
United initially took a first-half lead through Scott McTominay before a controversial VAR decision ruled against the 26-year-old Scotland midfielder’s opener.
A United free-kick was whipped towards the back post and Alejandro Garnacho pulled the ball back to McTominay, who scored from close range against Fulham.
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United fans unhappy with Brooks and VAR
VAR intervened against McTominay’s opener for United and it was deemed that Harry Maguire had been interfering with Fulham defenders.
Brooks took a closer look at the pitch-side monitor and, after a lengthy review, the referee ruled that former United captain Maguire was at fault in the build-up.
“You know it’s bad when fans of United’s biggest rivals are saying we’ve been robbed,” one fan said.
Another wrote: “United have been on the wrong end of so many VAR decisions. It can’t be a coincidence now. Robbed every other week.”
Someone else commented: “That was a beautiful goal for Manchester United and there was no need for referee John Brooks to use the VAR.”
“Never thought I’d see the day where United were robbed but here we are,” a fourth posted.
While one X, formerly Twitter, user added: “Woke up to see United getting robbed again, such a dead sport.”
And a sixth tweeted: “That has to be the worst call ever made. Manchester United have been robbed.”
A seventh simply stated: “United have been absolutely robbed by VAR there.”
United can’t catch a break
VAR has not been a friend for United this season, with Garnacho even on the receiving end of a controversial call in his side’s 3-1 defeat to Arsenal in September.
Irrespective of Saturday’s result for United, VAR needs to be addressed this season and is continuing to come under growing criticism.
United have been lacking goalscoring output from the front three this season, so McTominay’s disallowed opener was only further frustration for Ten Hag.
For many United fans — and even rival supporters — Brooks made the wrong call in the first half against Fulham and VAR is simply ruining the enjoyment of the sport.
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