‘Scrap it,’ Manchester United star Harry Maguire blasts VAR and urges it to be eliminated

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has voiced his opinion on the use of VAR in football matches, advocating for significant changes in its application. Ahead of an upcoming vote by Premier League clubs on the future of VAR, Maguire expressed his views on its role, particularly regarding penalties and red cards.

Maguire believes that while VAR can benefit certain aspects of the game, such as offsides, its use for subjective decisions like penalties and red cards should be reconsidered. He stated, “Personally, I would keep VAR but for offsides only. I would scrap it for everything that is opinion-based.”

According to Maguire, introducing automated offsides next season could improve the efficiency of VAR, making decisions quicker and more accurate. However, he emphasized the need to eliminate its use for subjective calls, often leading to contentious decisions and disagreements among players and fans.

He expressed concerns about the impact of VAR on the game’s flow and spontaneity, particularly regarding goal celebrations. The former Manchester United captain noted, “VAR offsides do kill goal celebrations a bit. In the back of your mind, players think whether or not it is a goal.”

Furthermore, Maguire highlighted the importance of maintaining football’s physicality and competitiveness by allowing referees to make decisions on contentious incidents without VAR intervention. He argued, “We want our game to be a contact sport. We want the game to be aggressive.”

Despite being sidelined with a calf injury, the Manchester United defender hopes to return for the FA Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley. In the meantime, he eagerly anticipates the heavyweight boxing clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, expressing his support for Fury, whom he has known for several years.

Maguire’s perspective reflects the ongoing debate surrounding VAR in football and the need for reforms to enhance its effectiveness while minimizing its disruption to the game. This is arguably the first season in which an officiating controversy has appeared every week. As Premier League clubs prepare to vote on the future of VAR, Maguire’s insights provide valuable input into the discussion, highlighting the need for a balanced approach that preserves the integrity and excitement of football while addressing its shortcomings.