Cunha's goal ruled out by VAR as pundits sympathise with Carrick in Chelsea clash

Matheus Cunha had the ball in the net for Manchester United against Chelsea, only for VAR to rule the goal out for offside in what proved a crushing moment for under-pressure manager Michael Carrick.

Cunha tapped in from close range after Harry Maguire headed the ball back into his path, sprinting to the corner flag to perform his trademark surfing celebration. Carrick and his staff joined in on the touchline — but VAR was already reviewing the decision in the background.

The Premier League Match Centre confirmed the outcome at the 34-minute mark: “VAR checked the referee’s call of goal — and determined that Cunha was in an offside position and recommended that the goal was disallowed.”

Cunha’s leg had strayed offside as Maguire’s header dropped to him, leaving no room for debate despite the harsh circumstances. The camera cut to a visibly deflated Carrick as the decision was confirmed.

Commentator Darren Fletcher captured the mood in the booth: “Let me just tell you that’s the last thing the poor fella sat on the bench needs to see. He must be thinking, ‘how do I buy a break here?’”

Pundit Ally McCoist was sympathetic to both the goalscorer and the manager. “It’s so unlucky because the defender bumps him offside, it’s unbelievable,” he said. “How’s your luck? There’s no getting away from it, it’s offside but a great degree of sympathy for the goalscorer. I will say something, regardless of his managerial and coaching skills, he’s a top fella, he’s managed himself superbly.”

Joe Cole, who shared a room with Carrick when the pair came through the youth ranks at West Ham, was equally supportive. “He was my roommate,” Cole said. “He’s represented this club unbelievably well as a player, manager and coach and the fans showed that last week. Listen, it’s not over.”