Carrick plays down VAR apology as Saha warns United's season hinges on Baleba

Michael Carrick has described the apology Manchester United received from referees’ body Pro Ref as meaning “not an awful lot”, even as the club continues to deal with a turbulent start to the season marked by VAR controversy, injuries, and off-field distractions.

Pro Ref chief Howard Webb acknowledged an officiating error after Erling Haaland’s winning goal in the Manchester derby was allowed to stand despite City teammate Enzo Fernandez being in an offside position. The goal was initially disallowed before a VAR review overturned the on-field decision — a reversal that drew widespread scrutiny over why Fernandez’s position had not been factored into the review. United were contacted and offered an apology shortly after the final whistle.

Carrick, while maintaining his support for the use of VAR, was measured in his response. “Listen, one-off things can happen,” he said. “I’ve got faith in [the system] of course… [but] the apology doesn’t mean an awful lot. I can appreciate it and I respect them for putting their hands up and saying ‘we got that wrong’. It happens. Moving forward, we just have to deal with what’s thrown in front of us.”

Off the pitch, former United striker Louis Saha has issued a pointed warning about the importance of £70m summer signing Carlos Baleba, suggesting the Cameroon international could prove the defining figure in United’s campaign. Baleba arrived from Brighton during the summer window and is expected to fill the No. 6 role vacated by Casemiro, who departed Old Trafford after serving as Carrick’s primary defensive midfielder. The 23-year-old has had to wait several weeks for his United debut due to injury.

Saha believes Baleba’s ability to provide protection and progression from deep will be critical to how far United can go this season, framing the midfielder’s development as something the club’s entire campaign may hinge upon.

United’s difficult opening stretch has also been complicated by concerns over 15-year-old academy prospect JJ Gabriel, who is reportedly pushing to leave the club despite being viewed internally as a potential first-team player. The first international break has given Carrick’s squad a chance to regroup before the domestic schedule resumes.