Erik ten Hag spoke to the press on Thursday afternoon ahead of Manchester United’s final Premier League match of the season.
The Reds travel to Brighton on Sunday for a 4 pm kick-off and must better Newcastle’s result on the final day if they are to qualify for the Europa Conference League. In contrast, their only hopes of qualifying for the Europa League rely on beating Man City in the FA Cup on the following Saturday.
Ten Hag spoke to the reporters about VAR after it was announced that Premier League clubs will vote on whether to scrap VAR, as per BBC Sport.
While the decision should be straightforward and we should be binning it, I can’t say I have any faith in owners of football clubs.
When asked about the prospect of VAR being scrapped, Ten Hag said (via Manchester Evening News): “I don’t think there is a way back. In principle, it makes football more fair. But we have problems. We have to make improvements.”
Perhaps my biggest gripe with VAR is how long it takes, which only results in waits that suck the life out of the atmosphere that makes football special and different to other sports.
Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon complained about VAR following United’s 3-2 win on Wednesday night.
Let us know your thoughts on VAR in the comments section. Personally, I want rid, as soon as possible.
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First thought is: without VAR we’d be out of the FA Cup, having allowed Coventry to make a four-goal comeback.
We may rue that after the Final, but that’s another matter!
Overall, I think it’s a good idea, imho it’s at its best deciding on penalty or not. I’ve screamed for penalties and subsequently been embarrassed watching TV highlights, and I think that’s probably the most difficult decision for referees, and the one they’re most likely to get wrong.
But, yes, it’s farcical how long some of the decision-making takes before deciding someone’s bunion was offside. They have the technology to draw lines across the still of a replay, so surely the decision should be reached in a minute or two.