Erik ten Hag would not need VAR scrapped because it ‘makes soccer extra honest’

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag doesn’t think VAR should be scrapped from English football.

But Ten Hag believes VAR has major flaws – and needs a complete overhaul ahead of the start of next season.

The Premier League faces a vote to get rid of the use of video assistant referees from the next domestic campaign.

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All 20 top flight clubs will take a vote at their annual general meeting on June 6.



Erik ten Hag believes VAR should stay as we have come too far to turn back
(Image: Offside via Getty Images)

The vote was triggered after Wolves submitted a resolution to the League earlier this week.

A number of other clubs have become aggrieved at VAR, which has continued to make mistakes and ruin games since being introduced in 2019-20.

Ten Hag reckons VAR has now become such an integral part of the English game it is too late to abandon it.

But the Dutchman knows there is serious room for improvement.

He said: “I don’t think there is a way back.



VAR will be subject of a vote in June
(Image: Getty Images)

“In principle, it makes football more fair. But we have problems. We have to make improvements.”

The Premier League remains supportive of VAR, while clubs voted in April for the introduction of semi-automated offsides from the start of the 2024-25 season.

It’s understood Liverpool, along with United and three other unnamed clubs, remain in favour of keeping VAR.

The League insists VAR has improved correct decisions from 82 per cent, prior to its introduction, to 96 per cent this season.

But VAR continues to suffer widespread criticism from some clubs, managers, supporters and pundits for being inconsistent, difficult to understand and taking the speed out of games.

Erik ten HagManchester United FCPremier League