VAR Checking Goal sign is seen during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Newcastle United FC at Old Trafford on December 30, 2024 in Manchester, England.VAR Checking Goal sign is seen during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Newcastle United FC at Old Trafford on December 30, 2024 in Manchester, England.
VAR Checking Goal sign is seen during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Newcastle United FC at Old Trafford on December 30, 2024 in Manchester, England. | Getty Images
Manchester United and Manchester City will not remember the 2024/25 season in a hurry
Manchester United and Manchester City will hope for improvement next season after the pair endured disappointing 2024-25 campaigns. United’s season was their worst in living memory, while City’s campaign was much better compared to their rivals but below par compared to previous years under Pep Guardiola.
The Red Devils finished 15th and lost 18 of their 38 games while also losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur as they face a campaign without any European football. City, despite a horrid run of form during the autumn, managed to finish in third and just three points behind Arsenal in second.
They also lost a final, as they were beaten 1-0 by Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final at Wembley. Both United and City finished lower than they would have hoped at the outset, could things have looked different if not for the impact of VAR?
The Video Assistant Referee has been involved in the Premier League since the 2019-20 season and despite the hopes it would lead to better refereeing outcomes, it has only further put the microscope on the officials.
Biggest VAR incidents involving Man Utd and Man City this season
There was an incredible 11 VAR overturns in matches involving United this season. One came early in the campaign when Joshua Zirkzee had a goal ruled out against Brighton and Hove Albion. One of the most controversial incidents came at West Ham as the hosts were given a penalty after a lengthy check. It was scored by Jarrod Bowen as the Hammers won 2-1, which proved to be the final straw for Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.
They did have a late penalty shout go in their favour later in the season when Harry Maguire was judged not to have fouled Ashley Young in the 93rd minute of a game against Everton at Goodison Park. Of the 11 VAR interventions, six went against United with five in their favour.
Final Premier League table without VAR
1. Liverpool - 81 points
2. Arsenal - 79 points
3. Man City - 69 points
4. Chelsea - 69 points
5. Nottingham Forest - 65 points
6. Newcastle United - 64 points
7. Aston Villa - 63 points
8. Brentford - 60 points
9. Brighton - 59 points
10. Bournemouth - 58 points
11. Crystal Palace - 55 points
12. Fulham - 54 points
13. Everton - 49 points
14. Wolves - 46 points
15. Man United - 42 points
16. Tottenham - 38 points
17. West Ham United - 37 points
18. Ipswich Town - 24 points
19. Leicester City - 22 points
20. Southampton - 20 points
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