Man Utd information: Michael Carrick responds to VAR apology as assertion about star issued
Manchester United have had a turbulent start to the season, with injuries, VAR controversies and off-field issues adding to the frustration at Old Trafford
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick is under pressure
Manchester United had their blushes saved by Matheus Cunha on Sunday evening after a comedy of errors led to an own goal from Lisandro Martinez.
It has been a torrid start to the season, with United picking up five points from their opening five games – with an apology from Pro Ref after last week’s controversial Manchester derby doing very little to help the mood.
Carrick has now replied to the statement, while United have been told one of their summer signings has the keys to potential turn around the season. Daily Star Sport has a look at all the latest news coming from Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick responds to Pro Ref apology
Michael Carrick wasn’t too impressed following the decision(Image: Getty)
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Michael Carrick has downplayed the importance of the apology United received from Pro Ref following a VAR blunder that permitted Manchester City’s winner in the Manchester derby to count, reports the Mirror.
Pro Ref chief Howard Webb acknowledged an officiating blunder had occurred after Erling Haaland’s match-winning goal was permitted to stand despite City teammate Enzo Fernandez being in an offside position.
Carrick continues to back VAR but concedes the apology did little to soothe his annoyance over the incident. “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.”
Man Utd told season ‘hinges on Carlos Baleba’
Carlos Baleba signed for the Red Devils in the summer(Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)
Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha reckons the club’s campaign could depend on whether Carlos Baleba can fill the gap left by Casemiro and cement himself as their new midfield enforcer.
Baleba arrived at United from Brighton for £70million this summer and is anticipated to become the team’s preferred No. 6. “Manchester United’s season will only truly begin once Carlos Baleba is fit enough to be the starting, first-choice midfielder in the team,” the Frenchman said.
“He brings more power to the game than Kobbie Mainoo or Youri Tielemans, who are both great footballers, but Baleba has a greater engine and can take this team to a higher level.
“He can be like Casemiro, who was not a dribbler but he was able to get the team up the pitch and play passes high to the striker or the wingers straight away.
“He recovered the ball and his first pass was always forward. Sometimes he made mistakes or lost the ball but it doesn’t matter because the benefit to the team compensated that.
“This is the job of the defence to give their midfielders the confidence to take these risks and find other players. If they don’t feel they can take these risks, it is a great shame because right now United have a forward line of real killers.
“They just aren’t being given the freedom to play. Carlos Baleba can give them that freedom and unlock the team more than Kobbie Mainoo or Youri Tielemans but they can provide that balance. You need both.”
