Manchester United fans are all in agreement about the VAR audio that has emerged from the Red Devils’ win over Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Erik ten Hag’s side thought they had taken the lead inside eight minutes after a well-worked freekick found Alejandro Garnacho at the back post, who in turn found Scott McTominay to tap home.
However, after a lengthy VAR check and a review of the incident by referee John Brooks, the goal was ruled out and the Red Devils had to wait until the 90th minute before they found the back of the net again.
The goal was a controversial one and the United fans have given their reactions to the decision.
United fans react to ‘subjective’ VAR call
Speaking on Sky Sports, Howard Webb, head of the PGMOL, went through the incident which seemed to suggest it was a subjective offside call and Brooks, the referee, had the final call on the decision.
“Just being in an offside position in itself isn’t an offence. It all depends on what you do when you’re in that position,” Webb said.
“What we see Harry Maguire do here is attempt to play a ball that’s close to him, he challenges an opponent for the ball and he makes an obvious action by moving towards that defender Rodrigo Muniz which impacts his ability to play the ball.
“If you take Maguire out of that situation, Muniz has got an opportunity to clear the ball before it gets to [Alejandro] Garnacho.”
Part of the problem from the released audio footage was it took one minute of discussion before Harry Maguire’s involvement was even mentioned.
If not for the intervention of VAR assistant Sian Massey, who pointed out Maguire’s possible interference, the goal would have stood.
Some fans, however, were frustrated with this decision. “WE GOT ROBBED!!! Worst referees in the world,” one said.
One United fan was very drastic in his assessment, he said: “It’s the world against Man United.”
Another echoed the sentiment of the rest of the Premier League about VAR saying: “VAR need to wake up.”
A further comment simply read: “They were determined to find a reason to disallow it.”
United’s bad luck
A lot has been made of the referees and VAR this season, particularly with certain offside or penalty calls, but it’s fair to say United may well have had some of the most egregious decisions go against them.
In fact, a report recently stated that the Red Devils had the most decisions go against them. The thing that causes frustration for the United fanbase the most is the lack of consistency.
When Rasmus Hojlund stuck the ball in the back of the net against Brighton & Hove Albion, it looked to be a legitimate goal but Marcus Rashford had taken the ball out of play.
It’s fair to say the angles VAR gave us were not conclusive but they ruled it out. Well, in Newcastle United’s win over Arsenal, in the lead-up to their winning goal, it looked like Joe Willock had run the ball out of play but the referees ruled it wasn’t conclusive and gave the goal.
Consistency is what is needed, desperately.
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