Michael Carrick reacted with sarcasm to the news that Pro Refs might apologise for the VAR mistake that cost Manchester United in the 199th Manchester derby. "Yeah, that'd be great. I can't wait for that one," the United boss said in his post-match press conference at Old Trafford.
The 45-year-old's expression made clear that an apology would be meaningless by that point, as United had already been denied at least one point. Carrick described the error in allowing Erling Haaland's goal as "obvious".
Apology Prepared as Carrick Spoke
While Carrick addressed journalists, officials at Pro Refs headquarters were preparing to make the apologetic phone call. The situation was made more absurd because the right call had initially been made on the field, with the assistant referee raising his flag and the goal being chalked off.
However, VAR Matt Donohue instructed referee Michael Oliver to reverse the decision and award the goal. The proper procedure for a subjective decision would have been to direct Oliver to the monitor to determine whether Enzo Fernandez was interfering with play.
United's Frustration Over VAR Procedure
United remain adamant that had Oliver reviewed the screen, the original decision would have been upheld and the goal disallowed. Fernandez was deemed not to have interfered with play, despite his attempted header forcing a dive from goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who could not recover to stop Haaland's strike.
The error, made by an official situated 200 miles from Old Trafford, denied United crucial points and intensified pressure on Carrick's position. That two VAR officials in the booth at Stockley Park could not identify the impact on Lammens was alarming, representing officiating by numbers rather than genuine understanding of the game.
Pressure Mounts on Carrick
The goal altered the trajectory of the match, unsettling United and requiring time to recover composure. City had not registered an attempt for 30 minutes prior to Haaland's goal, though United had not genuinely appeared likely to score either.
The outcome proves damaging for Carrick, with four points from four matches representing a disappointing start to the campaign and considerable pressure surrounding the weekend's visit to Fulham. Carrick will not rest comfortably this week, aware the performance fell short of expectations and that the defeat leaves him in the most difficult position since assuming the role in January.
