Harry Maguire produced an intentional red card-worthy moment in Manchester United’s win over Chelsea, but VAR failed to come up with the right decision.
If VAR wasn’t disliked before Monday’s clash between Manchester United and Chelsea, then it certainly will be now, especially by fans of the Blues.
While 2 disallowed goals on the night were annoying for Chelsea, 1 of them certainly the correct call and the other questionable, it was the incident that occurred in the first-half between Harry Maguire and Michy Batshuayi that had all of Stamford Bridge yelling expletives at the VAR system.
When tussling for a loose ball, both players momentarily exited the field of play, with Manchester United center-back Harry Maguire stumbling to the ground. While Maguire was on the ground, he made a swift and clearly intentional kick with his studs towards the groin area of Batshuayi, making full contact, which of course sent the Belgian onto the floor as well – in pain.
It was the clearest red card you will see all season. It was intentional violent conduct from Maguire, who was making clear eye contact with Batshuayi before delivering the blow, which could certainly have seriously hurt the Chelsea striker.
Lampard to Sky Sports: "Maguire should have been sent off, that's clear & that obviously changes the game. Azpilicueta gets shoved so the goal should stand. Giroud was a toenail offside & that one I understand.I don't get why they aren't looking at the monitor. It should be used.
— Simon Johnson (@SJohnsonSport) February 17, 2020
Despite the blatancy of the events, there was no red card given by VAR and no sort of punishment given to Maguire in general. This decision, an incorrect decision I might add, changed the course of the entire match.
On the stroke of half-time Manchester United took the lead, and of course, Harry Maguire got on the scoresheet as well later in the match to make it 2-0 to the Red Devils – a scoreline that would hold until the final whistle.
Earlier this season, Heung-Min Son received a red card for an almost identical incident, although the contact he made on Rudiger at that moment was not nearly as powerful. It also wasn’t aimed at a particularly delicate area, unlike Maguire’s kick. This once again raises the issue of inconsistency in the VAR system.
The book of VAR errors is growing worryingly long in the Premier League this season, and this was yet another example of the system being used, or not being used, incorrectly.