‘What’s the point of VAR?’: Rio Ferdinand FUMES at decision to allow Middlesbrough goal to stand after VAR decided that Duncan Watmore did NOT ‘deliberately’ handle the ball in the build up to Matt Crooks’ equaliser against Manchester United
- Rio Ferdinand has questioned the use of VAR after Boro’s goal was allowed
- The Championship side scored at Old Trafford despite an apparent handball
- VAR allowed the goal to stand much to Manchester United’s frustrations
- Ferdinand slammed the technology along with a number of supporters
- REPORT: The Red Devils were dumped out of the cup on penalties by Boro
Rio Ferdinand led fan fury after Middlesbrough’s equaliser against Manchester United was not ruled out by VAR despite an apparent handball in the build up.
Old Trafford was stunned on Friday night after Matt Crooks found the net for the Championship outfit, despite the Red Devils dominating for much of the FA Cup Fourth Round tie.
United stars Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw immediately protested the goal, claiming that there had been a handball in the build up.
Rio Ferdinand has blasted VAR after Middlesbrough’s goal was allowed to stand on Friday
VAR did not rule out the goal despite an apparent handball in the build up by Duncan Watmore
And television replays showed the ball ricocheting off Boro star Duncan Watmore’s midriff before striking his arm. He went onto square the ball across to Crooks who bundled it over the line.
VAR was consulted straightaway, with it appearing a clear-cut decision to rule out the goal owing to the significant impact that the handball had in the build up to the goal.
However, Anthony Taylor was advised to allow the goal due to the handball being accidental and not directly leading to a goal, prompting wild celebrations among the 9,000 travelling Boro supporters.
United legend Ferdinand questioned the use of VAR, along with Arsenal fan Piers Morgan
Rio Ferdinand led the reaction to the baffling decision, tweeting: ‘What’s the point of VAR’.
Piers Morgan had his say, posting: ‘We all saw that flagrant handball. VAR is such a pathetic joke.’
‘That is the worst VAR decision I’ve ever seen,’ one fan wrote. ‘We playing handball now,’ another said.
‘Not a handball for me, clearly hit his ankle,’ one supporter joked.
United were unable to find a winner and were knocked out on penalties by their Championship rivals.
