Premier League table without VAR with shock outcomes for Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal

Manchester United ended their run of three-straight Premier League games without a win as they earned a 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday afternoon. In their last five league games, the Red Devils have lost to Bournemouth, Wolves and Newcastle but have bookended those defeats with a win at Manchester City and the point on Merseyside.

After the game, Ruben Amorim hailed the mentality of his team and called for his players to show the same attitude moving forward. He said: “I want to see my team play so much better but I think the most important thing here is the mentality. That is the key for everything. Today we were a different team, not because of the system, not because of the technical aspects or tactical aspects of the game (but because) we faced the competition in the way that we’re supposed to face every day, training and match. It doesn’t matter the place, the opponent. We need to face every day like that.”

It was a game that saw a late chance for Harry Maguire but the defender put his shot over the crossbar with virtually the last kick of the game. Mohamed Salah put Liverpool ahead from the penalty spot after Matthijs de Ligt was penalised for a handball. Michael Oliver initially waved away the appeals from the Reds but VAR recommended a review with the decision given. Ex-United player Gary Neville said of the incident: “When your arm's up there. If your arm's high like that in the box you're asking for big trouble. I don't know why his hand is there. That's the one where you don't get away with it and he's not going to get away with it.”

United have been stung by VAR a handful of times this season and following the latest games, we have looked at how the Premier League table could look without the technology. By taking away goals awarded or disallowed by VAR, including those scored by VAR-awarded penalties, here’s where teams might stand...

Premier League table without VAR

20th - Southampton, 7 points (+1)

VAR had a role to play as the Saints threw away a 2-0 lead against Leicester City earlier in the season. One of the Foxes' three goals came after VAR deemed that Ryan Fraser had pulled Jamie Vardy back, the veteran striker scoring from the spot kick.

19th - Leicester City, 11 points (-3)

Struggling Leicester City would be even worse off without VAR this season.

18th - Ipswich Town, 14 points (-2)

Would have shared a point with Spurs rather than claiming all three if Dominic Solanke’s goal had stood. Did also see a João Félix goal disallowed for offside in their 2-0 win over Chelsea.

17th - Wolves, 17 points (+1)

Wolves would have claimed a point at Manchester City if VAR had not intervened and ruled that John Stones' 95th-minute winner should stand.

16th - Everton, 17 points

15th - West Ham, 20 points (-3)

Benefited from a late penalty against Manchester United, which Jarrod Bowen converted, to pick up an extra two points thanks to VAR. Also had a penalty awarded in the 1-1 draw against AFC Bournemouth, which Lucas Paqueta scored from.

14th - Crystal Palace, 23 points (+2)

The Eagles have not been friends of VAR this season with the system costing them two points.

13th - Tottenham Hotspur, 25 points (+1)

Would have picked up a point against Ipswich Town if Dominic Solanke's goal had stood. VAR did check Newcastle's first goal at the weekend but the decision was already given on-field with Spurs calling for a handball against Joelinton.

12th - Manchester United, 26 points (+3)

The Red Devils would have likely picked up at least an extra point with a draw against Brighton should a Joshua Zirkzee goal have stood. Instead, it was ruled out for offside. Then, against Liverpool on Sunday they could have claimed all three points if not for VAR intervening after a handball by Matthijs de Ligt that saw a penalty awarded to the hosts.

11th - Brentford, 29 points (+2)

Yoane Wissa's goal disallowed for offside against Brighton would have been enough for all three points on December 27.

10th - Fulham, 29 points (-1)

Wouldn't have picked up a point against Arsenal if Bukayo Saka's late goal at Craven Cottage had stood.

9th - Brighton, 29 points (+1)

Yoane Wissa had a goal disallowed for offside for Brentford in a 0-0 draw while the Seagulls saw a VAR call go against them when Aston Villa were awarded a penalty for a foul by Joao Pedro on Morgan Rogers. Ollie Watkins scored it as the sides drew 2-2.

8th - Aston Villa, 31 points (-1)

The Villans were awarded a penalty against Crystal Palace thanks to VAR, but Youri Tielemans saw his spot kick saved anyway. There was a Watkins goal from the penalty spot against Brighton as already highlighted above. That helped earn a point for the hosts.

7th - Manchester City, 32 points (-2)

The Champions would be two points worse off without VAR as the system helped award the John Stones winner against Wolves.

6th - Newcastle United, 33 points (-2)

The Magpies earned a draw at Bournemouth but only after VAR intervened to rule out a late winner for the home side. Everton also had a goal ruled out by VAR against Eddie Howe’s men.

5th - Chelsea, 35 points (-1)

The Blues picked up an extra point thanks to VAR spotting that Kai Havertz was offside for Arsenal in a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. As mentioned, Felix was denied a goal at Ipswich in their 2-0 loss.

Top four spots

4th - AFC Bournemouth, 37 points (+4)

It's been an impressive campaign from the Cherries, who would have even more points if VAR wasn't in place. Bournemouth would also have picked up three points against West Ham if the London outfit hadn't been given a penalty by VAR. They were also denied a late winner against Newcastle after a handball was spotted.

3rd - Nottingham Forest, 37 points

2nd - Liverpool, 43 points (-3)

The league leaders would be three points worse off without VAR this season. Most recently, they had a penalty awarded after VAR intervention against Manchester United on Sunday.

1st - Arsenal, 44 points (+4)

The Gunners would have an extra four points if Kai Havertz's opener against Chelsea had stood, as well as Bukayo Saka's winner at Craven Cottage. William Saliba was also sent off against Bournemouth after VAR intervention.