Man Utd defender Harry Maguire offers stripped back VAR solution amid Premier League vote to 'scrap' it

Harry Maguire would like to see VAR’s influence on football restricted to objective calls such as offside amid ongoing discussions over whether to ‘scrap’ the technology altogether.

VAR has continued to dominate the headlines in recent weeks with the spotlight on refereeing decisions more intense than ever. Clubs are growing increasingly frustrated with not only the major mistakes and controversial calls, but the time being taken to review incidents and a lack of real-time communication for match-going supporters.

Premier League clubs will now vote on whether to ‘scrap’ the technology after Wolves - who feel particularly aggrieved at decisions going against them - formally submitted a resolution to the league on Wednesday. The majority of clubs are expected to back the continued and improved use of VAR, however, and Manchester United defender Maguire has offered a potential solution.

“Personally, I would keep VAR but for offsides only,” Maguire said. “I would scrap it for everything that is opinion-based. Offsides are factual and not subjective. Everyone makes mistakes, linesmen make mistakes, so that is why I would keep VAR for that.

“But I would not have it for red cards or penalties because even now, people disagree if a decision is right or wrong. I think it is going to divide opinion and a lot of people will want to keep it. Some players want to get rid of it. VAR offsides do kill goal celebrations a bit. In the back of your mind, players think whether or not it is a goal.”

United have been on both ends of controversial decisions with manager Erik ten Hag often railing against officials for calls that went against his side. Defeats against Arsenal and Manchester City in particular saw the Dutchman point the finger at referees and VAR for failing to intervene.

But the Reds have also benefitted from errors, most notably the failure to award Wolves a late penalty during the opening game of the season, following a rash challenge from goalkeeper Andre Onana. Every club has been left frustrated at different points of the campaign, but the Premier League insists there has been an improvement in the number of correct decisions, rising from 82 per cent before VAR to 96 per cent this season.