Just ten minutes ago, the English Football Association announced that last night’s match between Manchester United and Fulham will be replayed due to multiple issues with the video assistant referees (VAR). Eric Ten Hag is likely to be pleased with this decision.

A decision made just ten minutes ago has ignited intense reactions in the football world following a controversial match at Old Trafford between Manchester United and Fulham.

The use of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) technology during the game has come under heavy scrutiny, and the consequences of the decisions made during the match are echoing throughout the sport.

The match was highly anticipated, with both teams needing a result to advance in their respective seasons. Manchester United, under Erik ten Hag, was aiming to stay in the top ranks of the Premier League, while Fulham, managed by Marco Silva, was fighting to avoid further decline.

The game started at a fast pace, with Manchester United taking an early lead through a goal by Bruno Fernandes, who capitalized on a Fulham defensive error, thrilling the home crowd. Fulham quickly responded with an equalizer from Aleksandar Mitrović, who headed in a corner to level the score.

As the match progressed, tensions on the pitch escalated, with both teams fiercely contesting every play. The first half ended 1-1, setting the stage for a contentious second half. The turning point came in the 60th minute when Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford was fouled in the box by Fulham’s Kenny Tete.

After a VAR review, the referee awarded United a penalty, which Fernandes converted, putting his team ahead. Fulham’s frustration grew when another goal by Mitrović was disallowed for offside following another VAR review, a decision that faced heavy criticism.

Fulham’s situation worsened when João Palhinha was sent off in the 75th minute for a challenge on Casemiro, after another VAR consultation.

Down to ten men, Fulham struggled, and Manchester United secured a 3-1 victory with a late goal from Jadon Sancho. However, post-match discussions were dominated by the controversies surrounding the VAR decisions, leading to widespread criticism and calls for a review of the system.

In response to the backlash, the Football Association (FA) held an emergency meeting and announced just ten minutes ago that the match would be replayed.

This rare decision in modern football, driven by concerns over fairness and transparency, will likely spark further debates about VAR. The replayed match will be under intense scrutiny, as both teams aim to move beyond the controversies of their initial encounter.