Solskjaer launches Benitez-esque rant at Lampard about VAR ‘facts’

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Man Utd TEAMtalk

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has snapped back at Chelsea counterpart Frank Lampard following his concerns that VAR is favouring the Red Devils.

Both managers made contrasting comments ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final between the sides.

Solskjaer and Lampard have been well-connected this season, with the weekend’s clash their fourth meeting after two in the Premier League and one in the EFL Cup.

However, they took different paths in their pre-match press conferences. Lampard complained on Friday that United have had “a few” decisions “in their favour”, citing Victor Lindelof’s clash with Wilfried Zaha in the penalty area on Thursday.

Overall, the statistics show that United have benefited from VAR and referees overturning seven goals, the Premier League’s joint-highest record.

In response to Lampard’s comments, however, Solskjaer launched a lengthy rant at his counterpart on Saturday.

 

 

“I can sit here for hours now and try to talk about this,” the United boss said. “It looks like there’s a narrative, it looks like people want to influence whoever’s making the decisions. I hear people talking about luck, that we’ve been lucky more than unlucky.

“If you look at the factual decisions, I don’t want to sound like a certain manager talking about facts, but if you’re offside, you’re offside. That’s clear.”

Solskjaer then referenced several decisions that have gone against his side this season.

SOLSKJAER SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT

“Talking about lucky, the penalty we got against Tottenham in the last minute that was taken away from us, that might be two points for us,” he said.

“Talking about the red card [Oriel] Romeu should have had against us when he almost got Mason Greenwood crippled, that should’ve been a red card, maybe that would’ve helped us.

“Talking about Mark Noble when he should have been sent off against us when we lost at West Ham, talking about the actual decision that is made that is against Man Utd but is overturned and corrected.

“So it’s actually me that should be complaining that we get decisions against us on the pitch by the on-pitch referee.”

United have beaten Chelsea in all three meetings this term, the most recent a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge in January.