Manchester United vs Barnsley match referees as controversial VAR decision made

A controversial VAR call has been made as Manchester United prepare to face Barnsley at Old Trafford in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

After consecutive defeats to Brighton and Liverpool, Manchester United responded with a commanding 3-0 victory over Southampton at St. Mary’s.

The game started brightly, and after 30 minutes, Diogo Dalot gave away a penalty, but André Onana’s save turned the tide in United’s favour. Soon after, Matthijs de Ligt scored his first goal for the club, heading in a Bruno Fernandes cross, and Marcus Rashford added a second with a curling shot before the break.

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In stoppage time, Alejandro Garnacho scored a powerful strike to secure the win and all three points for United.

Attention now turns to the Carabao Cup, where they will host League One side Barnsley at Old Trafford in the third round—a competition Erik ten Hag won in 2023.

Interestingly, the EFL still maintains that VAR will not be used in any Carabao Cup fixtures until at least the competition’s semi-finals.

This is somewhat controversial, considering the complete reliance across the country’s other competitions on the technology. The decision was made as not every club in the competition can facilitate the use of the technology.

The match officials have been confirmed below.

Match referees

Gavin Ward (pictured below) will referee on Saturday at St. Mary’s Stadium. Ward has never officiated a Manchester United fixture, as he works mainly in the Championship and other tiers below the Premier League.

However, he was the fourth official for United’s 3-0 win over Southampton, meaning he will be familiar with Erik ten Hag, as the pair met on the weekend.

Lee Venamore and Nigel Lugg will be on the sidelines, acting as Ward’s assistant referees during the game. Geoff Eltringham has been handed the fourth official job, separating Ten Hag and Darrell Clarke on Saturday afternoon.

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