Michael Carrick still has ‘faith’ in controversial VAR despite shock decision that cost Man United in derby defeat

MICHAEL CARRICK still has “faith” in VAR but is adamant Manchester City’s winner will not define Manchester United’s season. Pro Ref acknowledged there was a “lack of judgement” hours after Erling Haaland’s derby winner last Sunday and chief Howard Webb admitted he was “really disappointed”. Fernandez’s offside position should have ensured Haaland’s goal was disallowed Haaland was onside for his derby winner Credit: Sky Sports In audio released of the review, VAR Matt Donohue did not once consider the offside status of Enzo Fernandez, who attempted to connect with Josko Gvardiol’s deflected cross that Haaland converted from. Privately, Carrick was staggered that nobody alerted Donohue to the fact that Fernandez was interfering with play. Sign up for the Man United newsletter Thank you! An assistant VAR and replay operator were dialled into the audio with Donohue. Carrick stressed the apology United received was “meaningless” but respected Webb’s swiftness in acknowledging the error. “One-off things can happen,” Carrick said. “At the time it was a pretty big one, we know that, I don’t think I need to go over that. “I’ve got faith in it, of course. It’s the system that we work towards and that we use, so the apology doesn’t mean an awful lot. “I can appreciate and I respect it for them putting their hands up and saying we got that wrong, I think it happens, it does happen, but moving forward we just have to deal with it, what’s thrown in front of us. “And maybe we get one or two decisions on the back of how it balances out percentages or law of averages or whatever that may be. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS “But that was a pretty big one to take and had a huge impact on that game and that’s why it was particularly tough.” The 1-0 loss to City was followed by United’s collapse from 2-0 up to lose 3-2 to Brighton in the League Cup third round on Wednesday, marking the first time Carrick has suffered successive defeats in charge of the club. Fulham host United in the Premier League on Sunday and are yet to record a league win this term. United have also not lost at Craven Cottage since December 2009. A third successive loss would fuel uncertainty around Carrick’s future ahead of a three-week international break, but he is determined to not let the Haaland goal kibosh United’s campaign. Carrick stressed: “It can have an impact in the moment of time, it can have a big impact, but we can’t let it have an impact on the rest of the season. “That’s for us to get back to winning ways as soon as possible.” Man Utd ratings: Diogo Dalot and Patrick Dorgu prove costly at the back as Kobbie Mainoo impressive in the middle DIOGO DALOT and Patrick Dorgu exposed Man Utd's defensive frailties as bitter rivals Man City stole all three points in the Manchester derby Erling Haaland scored a hugely controversial winner after VAR overturned an offside call. Replays showed Patrick Dorgu played Haaland onside, while City’s new £125million man Enzo Fernandez was incredibly deemed to have not been interfering with play. Kobbie Mainoo was really put to the test against a rock solid City midfielder, but grabbed the game by the lapels in the second half and was hugely unlucky not to score. Here’s how SunSport’s Samuel Luckhurst rated the Red Devils at Old Trafford. Comment now