In their last five league matches, the Red Devils have suffered losses to Bournemouth, Wolves, and Newcastle, but have managed to bookend those defeats with a victory over Manchester City and a draw against Liverpool.
VAR decisions have impacted United several times this season. In light of recent matches, we’ve examined how the Premier League standings could look without VAR interventions. ..Continue Reading
By excluding goals awarded or disallowed by VAR, including those resulting from VAR-awarded penalties, here’s how the teams might be positioned…
Premier League table without VAR
20th – Southampton, 7 points (+1)
VAR played a significant role when the Saints lost a 2-0 lead against Leicester City earlier in the season. One of Leicester’s three goals resulted from a VAR decision that Ryan Fraser had fouled Jamie Vardy, allowing Vardy to score from the penalty spot.
19th – Leicester City, 11 points (-3)
Leicester City would be in an even worse position without VAR this season.
18th – Ipswich Town, 14 points (-2)
Would have drawn with Spurs instead of winning if Dominic Solanke’s goal had stood. They also had a João Félix goal disallowed for offside in their 2-0 win over Chelsea.
17th – Wolves, 17 points (+1)
Wolves would have earned a point at Manchester City if VAR hadn’t intervened, allowing John Stones’ 95th-minute winner to stand.
16th – Everton, 17 points
15th – West Ham, 20 points (-3)
Gained an extra two points against Manchester United due to a late penalty converted by Jarrod Bowen, thanks to VAR. They also had a penalty awarded in the 1-1 draw against AFC Bournemouth, which Lucas Paqueta scored from.
14th – Crystal Palace, 23 points (+2)
The Eagles have lost two points this season due to VAR decisions.
13th – Tottenham Hotspur, 25 points (+1)
Would have drawn with Ipswich Town if Dominic Solanke’s goal had stood. VAR confirmed Newcastle’s first goal over the weekend, though the decision was already made on-field despite Spurs’ calls for a handball against Joelinton.
12th – Manchester United, 26 points (+3)
United would have likely earned at least an extra point with a draw against Brighton if Joshua Zirkzee’s goal had stood, which was ruled out for offside. They could have also taken all three points against Liverpool if not for VAR awarding a penalty to Liverpool after a handball by Matthijs de Ligt.
11th – Brentford, 29 points (+2)
Yoane Wissa’s disallowed goal for offside against Brighton would have given Brentford all three points on December 27.
10th – Fulham, 29 points (-1)
Wouldn’t have drawn with Arsenal if Bukayo Saka’s late goal at Craven Cottage had stood.
9th – Brighton, 29 points (+1)
Yoane Wissa’s disallowed goal for Brentford in a 0-0 draw with Brighton and a VAR-awarded penalty for Aston Villa against Brighton for a foul by Joao Pedro on Morgan Rogers. Ollie Watkins scored, resulting in a 2-2 draw.
8th – Aston Villa, 31 points (-1)
Villa were awarded a penalty against Crystal Palace by VAR, though Youri Tielemans’ spot kick was saved. Watkins’ penalty goal against Brighton, as previously mentioned, earned Villa a point.
7th – Manchester City, 32 points (-2)
City would have two points less without VAR, which awarded the John Stones winner against Wolves.
6th – Newcastle United, 33 points (-2)
Newcastle drew with Bournemouth after VAR disallowed a late winner for the home side. Everton also had a goal ruled out by VAR against Newcastle.
5th – Chelsea, 35 points (-1)
Chelsea gained an extra point thanks to VAR disallowing Kai Havertz’s goal for Arsenal in a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. Felix’s goal at Ipswich was also disallowed, contributing to their 2-0 loss.
Top four spots
4th – AFC Bournemouth, 37 points (+4)
Bournemouth’s impressive campaign would have yielded more points without VAR. They would have earned three points against West Ham if not for a VAR-awarded penalty for the London club. A late winner against Newcastle was also denied due to a handball spotted by VAR.
3rd – Nottingham Forest, 37 points
2nd – Liverpool, 43 points (-3)
Liverpool, the league leaders, would have three points less without VAR this season. Most recently, they benefited from a VAR-awarded penalty against Manchester United on Sunday.
1st – Arsenal, 44 points (+4)
Arsenal would have four more points if Kai Havertz’s goal against Chelsea and Bukayo Saka’s winner at Craven Cottage had stood. William Saliba was also sent off against Bournemouth after VAR intervention.
