ancient Manchester United Defender Gary Pallister has given a scathing assessment of the VAR decision that allowed Erling Haaland’s goal to stand in Sunday’s Manchester Derby, while warning that Michael Carrick’s side remain a long way from the level of Premier League champions Arsenal.
United suffered a controversial 1-0 defeat to Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday, with Haaland’s goal sparking debate over whether Lisandro Martínez had been hampered by an offside Enzo Fernández in the build-up.
The moment forced an apology from the Pro Ref, who admitted a lapse in judgment allowed City’s goal to stand.
Pallister, speaking with Means of gamblinghe did not hold back when asked for his assessment of the decision, describing it as the worst VAR call he has ever witnessed.
“There have been some beauties in the past but I’d probably have to say it’s the worst VAR decision I’ve ever seen,” Pallister said.
“Anyone who watches the game with knowledge of the offside law knows that Enzo Fernández prevents Lisandro Martínez from getting to the ball, but then they give him the goal anyway.
“Whoever is in the VAR room responsible for making this decision knows nothing about football. An absolutely unbelievable decision.”
Pallister calls for VAR officials to face sanctions
Although critical of the decision at Old Trafford, Pallister stressed that he remains a supporter of VAR and believes the technology has an important role to play in Premier League.
However, the former United centre-back argued that referees must face the consequences when serious mistakes cost the team points in high-stakes matches.
“I’ve been behind VAR for a long time because they make a lot of right decisions, but with what happened at Old Trafford yesterday, they just can’t go wrong,” he said.
“I don’t know who is behind VAR, but whoever was in the room yesterday clearly got it wrong, and that’s a shame for VAR and the whole process.
“It puts people like Michael Carrick under pressure to lose a derby game, which shouldn’t have happened. I think referees and VAR officials need potential penalties for making these mistakes.”
Manchester United have a long way to go to match Arsenal
Despite Sunday’s setback, Pallister believes United’s rebuild will require patience, pointing to Arsenal’s long process of developing a competitive squad under Mikel Arteta.
Asked what needs to improve for United to reach Arsenal’s level, he suggested the gap between the two teams could take years to close.
“To get to the level of Arsenal? Oh, well, I don’t know. I know you have to build this team over a period of time. Michael is only at the beginning of his managerial career at United, so he is trying to find the right adjustments to the team that will help us improve,” he said.
“Arsenal have, what, four or five years ahead of them in terms of building a squad and getting to where they want to go? So, you know, it could take that long.”
For United, he believes the immediate priority must be to develop a squad capable of controlling games rather than simply relying on individual moments.
“Right now, I don’t think we can dominate games, and I think we have to find a way to do that,” Pallister said.
“Whether it’s the personality, the character, the quality of the players or the team ethic, you have to find all that in your side and give them the confidence that they can go out there, dominate games and win games.
“He’s been missing a bit of that at the start of the season so far, I’d suggest. So we’ve got to bring that to the party, I guess.”
Kobbie Mainoo singled out for praise
Despite the disappointment of the derby defeat, Pallister identified Kobbie Mainoo as United’s standout player so far this season.
The midfielder impressed during Sunday’s game and came close to scoring with a strike that hit the post, as well as competing with £116million man Elliot Anderson for 90 minutes.
“Kobbie had a real purple patch in the game yesterday. I think he’s a smart player. I don’t know what his best role is yet in that midfield area, but he takes good care of the ball. He sees a pass, he can score a goal and he hit the post with a great shot yesterday,” Pallister said.
“It just leaves you scratching your head why United got him cold last year and he never got a sniff at the World Cup, because he has fantastic qualities.”
Pallister also praised Bruno Fernandes, who had a quiet game against City but was the architect of any impressive moment for Manchester United.
“Kobbie and, yes, probably at the start of this season, Bruno as well, because he’s an eight-out-of-ten player most games,” he said.
“But after that, you’d probably see Kobbie as the standout player so far this season.”
Bruno Fernandes remains United’s key player
Fernandes has already produced a hat-trick against Ipswich this season, but United’s confidence in their captain has raised questions about whether the team can perform when not at their best.
Pallister acknowledged that concern while making it clear that he considers the Portugal international one of the best players in world football.
“Yeah, I mean, the only way we got through yesterday was that ball at Mbeumo, which they probably should have scored,” he said.
“But yeah, I think Roy Keane spoke yesterday about what Bruno brings to the team in terms of assists, energy, goals and quality. Wow, he’s up there with the best in the world for me.
“Where would we be without him, God knows, because season after season, he’s proven to be the go-to player. He’s in the form of his life and he’s playing every game. If that gets to thirty, we’ll wait and see.
“But it’s been a joy to watch him as a footballer, and also as an ambassador for Manchester United. There was a lot of talk about him leaving for big money last year, and he nailed his colors to the post and said, ‘No, I’m a United player’.”
