Manchester United came up with a very professional performance in the FA Cup tonight to beat Huddersfield Town 2-0. While the Terriers enjoyed most of the possession during the game, Jose Mourinho’s men picked up all three points thanks to some clinical finishing synced with deadly counter-attacks.
United had only two shots on target and managed to score from both of them – Romelu Lukuka each time, but the Red Devils had a goal disallowed in the first half or else the scoreline would have looked more embarrassing for Wagner’s men. Juan Mata tucked the ball into the back of the net after receiving a wonderful pass from Ashley Young and the on-field referee immediately pointed towards the centre line. But a few of the Huddersfield players were complaining of an offside and viola, it was time for the VAR.
The FA are testing the VAR during the FA Cup matches and this controversial goal from Mata seemed to be the perfect instance as to why everyone has been rooting for the technology.
Or so we thought.
With the naked eye the Spaniard seemed to be just onside when the pass was played but after a lengthy scrutiny the onfield referee changed his decision and cancelled the goal. This clearly meant that Mata was adjudged offside thanks to the VAR.
https://twitter.com/FutballTweets/status/964945135229337605
Justice served right.
But hold on this was only the start of the whole controversy.
After the goal was disallowed the footage was played on the television and clearly something did not seem right.
BT Sports were the first to call out the VAR as they felt that the virtual lines on the pitch looked a bit dodgy.
BT Sports wrote on Twitter: “That was a shambles”
“There is no way you can say that is offside” @mrjakehumphrey, @RobbieSavage8 and Paul Scholes have been left baffled by VAR”
https://twitter.com/btsportfootball/status/964929645819801600
And as it happens every time, the whole footballing world picked up on it.
Here are some of the more sensible arguments regarding the VAR decision during the Huddersfield vs Man Utd game:
The worst thing about VAR is people talking about someone being in control of VAR. VAR is a person, not a thing.
— Sachin Nakrani (@SachinNakrani) February 17, 2018
Using tennis in the VAR debate is misleading. They don’t use VAR, they use line technology… the football equivalent being goal line technology.
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) February 17, 2018
….being told the VAR team are fully aware they got it wrong.
— Andy Goldstein MBE (@andygoldstein05) February 17, 2018
Thought VAR was supposed to be to correct a clear and obvious mistake? Mata’s patella may have been offside but it was far from an obvious howler.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) February 17, 2018
Scholes on VAR: “I can’t understand why they haven’t spoken to the Rugby League lads. Now, there’s so much confusion, there’s no participation from the fans, they have no idea what’s going on.” #mufc [bt]
— United Xtra (@utdxtra) February 17, 2018
Juan Mata also gave his comments on the VAR after the Huddersfield vs Man Utd clash.
Mata said: “I did, I celebrated. Apparently the VAR showed it was offside, I don’t know. The important thing is it didn’t matter because we won. It was the first time i met Mr VAR. I’m up for it, it’s needed, but hopefully it will be quicker.”
Mata on VAR: “I did, I celebrated. Apparently the VAR showed it was offside, I don’t know. The important thing is it didn’t matter because we won. It was the first time i met Mr VAR. I’m up for it, it’s needed, but hopefully it will be quicker.” #mufc [bt]
— United Xtra (@utdxtra) February 17, 2018
The clearly the technology that was brought in to end all debates has given rise to even more controversies.
