‘VAR is obviously against us,’ Man United fans react as Felipe gets away with a red card
Is VAR biased against Manchester United? Many fans believe so, pointing to a series of questionable decisions from the Video Assistant Referee.
The use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in football has been both hailed as a solution to officiating errors and criticized as a source of controversy.
In the English Premier League, Manchester United supporters are among those who feel aggrieved by the decisions made by VAR, with many alleging bias against their beloved club.
The Nottingham Forest Clash
In a recent match against Nottingham Forest, frustration reached new heights as United fans watched their team battle it out on the pitch, only to be left seething at the final whistle.
The contentious moment came when Nottingham Forest defender Felipe appeared to grip Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes by the neck—an action that, according to many observers, warranted a red card.
However, to the disbelief of United supporters, VAR remained silent on the matter, allowing Felipe to escape punishment.
The winning goal (1-0) came from Casemiro, who scored with a header at the near post off Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick delivery. United will now welcome Liverpool for the quarter-final clash.
Outcry and Comparison: Previous Incidents and Social Media Reactions
The outcry among Manchester United faithful was palpable both online and offline. Social media platforms were flooded with posts lamenting what many perceived as a glaring example of VAR inconsistency.
Comparisons were drawn to previous incidents where similar infractions had resulted in players being sent off, leading fans to question whether there was a bias against Manchester United within the VAR system.
Ten Hag’s Response and Fernandes’ Resilience
Adding fuel to the fire, Erik ten Hag’s men managed to secure a victory in the match, further intensifying the sense of injustice felt by United supporters.
As the team advanced to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, where they are set to face Liverpool, the debate surrounding VAR’s impartiality showed no signs of abating.
Speaking after the match, ten Hag addressed concerns about Fernandes’ well-being, highlighting the physical toll exacted by Nottingham Forest’s aggressive tactics.
He condemned the targeting of the Portugal international and criticized those who downplayed the severity of his injuries, emphasizing Fernandes’ resilience and leadership qualities.
Ten Hag told reporters: “You saw, Forest was targeting him. I don’t say what it is (injury), but it was a serious injury. Social media criticizes him. It is pathetic. He has a very high pain threshold. It shows his leadership.“
For Manchester United fans, the incident involving Felipe and Fernandes served as yet another reminder of the perceived injustices inflicted upon their team by VAR.
As they continue to rally behind their club, their calls for fairness and transparency within the officiating system grow louder with each passing match.
Whether their grievances will be addressed remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the debate over VAR’s impartiality is far from over.
Check out some of the Manchester United fans reactions below.
