Manchester United interim coach Darren Fletcher admitted he was surprised Kyle Walker escaped a red card after appearing to stamp on Patrick Dorgu, as he took aim at the use of VAR.
Walker went into a challenge with Dorgu during United’s latest match and, in the aftermath, the United bench felt the incident “didn’t look great”. Despite the reaction, the referee did not send the Manchester City defender off and VAR did not intervene to upgrade any punishment.
Fletcher, speaking after the game, questioned how the moment was assessed and suggested the decision did not match what he and United staff had seen on the touchline.
“Didn’t look great,” Fletcher said, as he pointed to the contact on Dorgu and voiced his frustration that the technology did not appear to change the on-field call.
United’s interim coach also made a pointed remark about consistency, hinting that similar challenges in other matches have produced different outcomes and leaving him “bemused” that Walker stayed on the pitch.
The incident added another talking point to a match already under scrutiny, with Fletcher’s comments amplifying fresh debate around VAR and how clear-cut decisions are being handled.
