Carrick calls VAR apology 'not worth an awful lot' after derby blunder cost United

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has described Pro Ref’s apology over VAR’s failure to disallow Erling Haaland’s winner in the Manchester derby as something that “doesn’t mean an awful lot”, while acknowledging the mistake was “particularly tough” to absorb.

Refereeing body Pro Ref admitted an “error of judgment” after VAR failed to flag Enzo Fernandez for interfering with play from an offside position during City’s win at Old Trafford. Pro Ref conceded it “should have recommended an on-field review” before the goal was awarded.

Carrick, speaking at a press conference, said he could appreciate the gesture of accountability but was clear-eyed about its practical value. “One-off things can happen, at the time it was a pretty big one, we know that,” he said. “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.”

Despite his frustration, Carrick said he has not lost confidence in the technology itself. “I’ve got faith in it, of course — it’s the system that we work towards and that we use,” he added. “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 derby defeat was compounded by a 3-2 Carabao Cup third-round loss to Brighton, a run of results that has increased scrutiny on Carrick’s position. He was pressed on whether VAR errors of this magnitude could derail United’s season.

“It can have an impact in the moment of time — it can have a big impact,” he said. “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.”

United opted against taking any formal action against Pro Ref, with club officials said to have appreciated the effort made to explain and acknowledge the mistake. Carrick’s focus, at least publicly, is on what lies ahead rather than relitigating a decision that cannot be reversed.