Ruud Gullit Suggests VAR Has Stripped Manchester United of Their Old Advantages

Ruud Gullit has suggested that VAR has played a role in the decline of Manchester United.

Speaking to FootItalia, the former Chelsea and AC Milan icon delivered a brutal assessment of United’s current situation, arguing that changes in officiating have helped expose deeper structural and cultural problems at Old Trafford.

While Gullit stopped short of accusing United of wrongdoing, he hinted that the margins which once worked in their favour have disappeared in the modern Premier League.

“Since VAR, Man United are not that lucky anymore. There have always been clubs that had certain advantages, in Holland, Germany and Spain it’s the same.

“The last-minute ‘Fergie time’ doesn’t exist anymore, and since VAR, you can’t do that anymore.”

Ruud Gullit on Manchester United and VAR

For years, Manchester United were renowned for late goals, marginal decisions and an aura that intimidated opponents and even officials.

Gullit thinks that VAR has stripped away those fine margins, forcing United to cope without the marginal gains that once assisted their dominance.

In today’s Premier League, decisions are scrutinised frame by frame, and reputations no longer influence outcomes in the same way. According to Gullit, United have struggled to adapt to that.

It should be said, Gullit isn’t arguing that VAR directly caused Manchester United’s decline.

He is just implying that they can’t lean on certain advantages that they might’ve had during Sir Alex Ferguson’s tenure, for example. He makes it clear that there are other issues at play.

“Manchester United need to look at themselves and what’s really going on there. What is the vibe? The vibe there is not good.”

He went even further, describing Old Trafford as an environment where careers stall rather than flourish, pointing to the contrasting trajectories of Scott McTominay and Joshua Zirkzee.

“It’s not an easy environment, it’s a graveyard for players and coaches. Many players leave United and suddenly play well again.”

Despite his criticism, Gullit was clear that Manchester United’s struggles are not good for English football as a whole. The Premier League, he argues, is stronger when its biggest clubs are functional and competitive.

“English football, the Premier League needs a strong Manchester United, the more teams that are good, the better it is for the Premier league itself.”

United have set a Champions League target for Michael Carrick, who led his team to an impressive 2-0 victory over Manchester City.

They will be looking to build off of that as they face league leaders and Premier League title favourites Arsenal next.