Michael Carrick criticised the decision to show Leny Yoro a red card for a foul on Jonathan David during Manchester United's defeat to Atletico Madrid, saying he did not understand why VAR official Pol van Boekel had become involved in the incident.
Referee changes mind after VAR review
Referee Glenn Nyberg did not even award a foul after Yoro had stopped David running in on goal, but after eventually stopping play after giving United a free-kick, Van Boekel advised him to go to the screen.
Nyberg then showed Yoro a red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity, reducing United to 10 men for the final 16 minutes of the game. Their chances of a comeback ended when Ademola Lookman scored a second goal.
Carrick: 'I don't see it being a red card'
"I don't see it being a red card, I have to say. I really don't agree with the decision," said Carrick. "I don't know whether I'm allowed to say or not, but I just don't agree with the decision."
"He wasn't really moving in a quick direction to goal. Whether it was or wasn't a foul, or not a foul, it was very soft and slow and [to get] a red card for that, especially to be taken to VAR. I just don't understand it."
United's early setback and missed chances
United had a disastrous start to the game when Pablo Barrios gave Atletico the lead after just 53 seconds. Carrick's side responded well, with Bryan Mbeumo, Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes all having excellent chances to equalise before the sending off.
"We had a bad start to the game and gave ourselves a lot to do in a place that's difficult anyway, they got to the semi-finals last year," said Carrick. "I thought we responded and were in the game pretty well."
"We had four 1-on-1s effectively through to Bryan. Marcus had one, I don't think he connected with the volley. Bruno had one and lifted it over the goalkeeper. Again, it could look different."
"There's things we can certainly do better as the game went on, but I thought the game was right in the balance and I thought we were in it second half. The red card obviously had a major impact on that."
