Carrick maintains support for VAR after costly officiating mistake
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick said he still trusts VAR despite an error that contributed to a 1-0 home defeat by Manchester City. The referee's body apologized after failing to spot an offside player in the build-up to City's goal. Carrick acknowledged the apology but said it does not change the impact on the result.
The officiating error carried immediate consequences beyond the result itself. VAR Matt Donohue and assistant Blake Antrobus were both removed from weekend match assignments following the missed offside call. Referee chief Howard Webb publicly analyzed the incident on the 'Match Officials Mic'd Up' program, admitting officials were overly focused on Erling Haaland's positioning while overlooking Enzo Fernandez's clear interference.
Separately, Carrick addressed defender Leny Yoro's recent struggles. The 20-year-old Frenchman, signed from Lille for £52.2m in July 2024 amid interest from Real Madrid, Paris St-Germain and Liverpool, has made 55 Premier League appearances but started only 30 of those. His positioning was criticized in the midweek Carabao Cup loss to Brighton, yet Carrick insisted the club would avoid knee-jerk judgments about the young player's development.
This incident could further erode public confidence in officiating technology, which many fans already view as inconsistent. The apology and subsequent removal of officials may signal accountability, but Carrick's skepticism reflects a broader frustration among clubs and supporters when errors directly alter match outcomes. Such moments could intensify debates about VAR's effectiveness, potentially influencing how leagues worldwide implement or refine the system. For Manchester United specifically, the dropped points may carry title-race implications, affecting players, staff and the club's global fanbase emotionally and commercially.