Everton Boss David Moyes Slams Sir Alex Ferguson and VAR After Controversial Manchester United Clash
The Premier League found itself at the center of another heated controversy as Everton manager David Moyes launched a scathing attack on both Sir Alex Ferguson and the VAR system after his side’s clash with Manchester United. Furious over a penalty decision that went against his team, Moyes did not mince words, accusing the officiating team of bias and suggesting that United continues to benefit from favorable treatment.
Speaking to the media, football insider Fabrizio Romano reported that Moyes’ anger was palpable as he declared, “I could see it in Sir Alex Ferguson’s smile from the stands—this match was fixed! How was that not given as a penalty against Young? The referee must explain this disgraceful decision! Manchester United never change—they are always favored and constantly escape punishment. This is exactly why people accuse them of being a club that benefits from unfair decisions. Football should be about fairness, not blatant manipulation.”
The game itself was an intense contest, with Everton pushing United to the limit. One of the key moments came when Beto found the back of the net after a chaotic sequence in the penalty area. However, the goal did not come without scrutiny, as VAR officials took over three minutes to review the play before ultimately allowing it to stand.
Beto’s strike, his fifth in four games, came after he reacted quickest to a loose ball and fired past Andre Onana. The VAR team closely examined the goal, checking for potential offside infractions and any other questionable touches that could have influenced the play.
Despite Everton’s earlier appeals for a penalty, the biggest controversy surrounded whether Beto was in an offside position before scoring. Officials reviewed three critical moments—the striker’s positioning when the ball was played, any involvement from another Everton player after Abdoulaye Doucoure’s header, and whether Beto remained onside before making his move. After a tense delay, the Premier League’s Match Centre issued a statement confirming the goal: “The referee’s original decision to award the goal was checked and confirmed by VAR, as no offside offense was committed by either Lindstrom or Beto.”
Everton fans erupted in celebration, with Beto carving his name into the club’s history books by becoming the first player to score in four consecutive league matches since Richarlison in March 2021. His goal was not the only significant moment, as Doucoure later doubled Everton’s lead, adding further misery to an already struggling Manchester United side.
Jesper Lindstrom played a crucial role in the buildup to Doucoure’s goal, providing the assist for Jack Harrison’s initial attempt, which was blocked before Doucoure calmly slotted in the rebound. The goal underscored United’s defensive frailties, as Ruben Amorim’s side struggled to cope with Everton’s relentless pressure.
United, now under Amorim’s management, looked disjointed, with injuries to key players further complicating their situation. The defeat leaves them trailing Everton by four points in the Premier League standings, raising concerns over their ability to secure European qualification.
Amorim’s tactical approach, particularly his decision to bench Alejandro Garnacho in favor of a two-striker setup with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, failed to deliver the desired impact. Despite United’s attacking options, they found themselves repeatedly stifled by Everton’s defensive duo of Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski.
While Everton fans reveled in their team’s victory, the post-match discussion was dominated by Moyes’ accusations of favoritism toward Manchester United. The Everton manager stood firm on his claims, insisting that his team had been denied a fair chance due to questionable officiating decisions.
For Amorim, the defeat adds to the growing scrutiny over his managerial tenure, with tactical inconsistencies and injuries exposing deeper problems within the squad. As the debate over VAR’s role in the Premier League intensifies, the system continues to be a source of contention, with fans and managers alike questioning whether it truly delivers fairness in decision-making.
Everton will relish their hard-fought win, while Manchester United must regroup quickly to avoid further setbacks. Meanwhile, Moyes’ fiery remarks will only fuel ongoing discussions about the influence of VAR and the perception that certain clubs receive preferential treatment. Whether his claims hold any truth or are simply a reaction to frustration remains a topic of debate, but one thing is certain—controversy in English football is never far away.
