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Football fans are left in amazement at 'genius' Sir Alex Ferguson for predicting (and FIXING) VAR back in 2005

9 months ago 45
  • A video of Sir Alex Ferguson talkingat Old Trafford in 2005 has resurfaced 
  • Fans have been left amazed at his foresight for how to fix VAR way back then
  • CHRIS SUTTON: I feel sorry for Rasmus Hojlund, Man U wingers are out for themselves - It's All Kicking Off 

By Nathan Salt For Mailonline

Published: 16:50 GMT, 14 December 2023 | Updated: 16:53 GMT, 14 December 2023

A 2005 interview from Sir Alex Ferguson has gone viral, with football fans hailing him for 'opinions ageing like a fine wine'.

The legendary former Manchester United manager was speaking in the tunnel at Old Trafford about how technology could influence decisions. 

Ferguson, speaking after a 0-0 draw against Tottenham, was asked about the contentious decision to rule out a late winner for Spurs when Roy Carroll infamously spilled a shot from Pedro Mendes over his own goal-line. 


Having surfaced again on social media, Ferguson appears to accurately predict how video assistant referees would slow the game down. 

'My contention about [video technology] in the past has been that it would take too long,' Ferguson said. 

'It's a winter game. People in the terraces are sitting and waiting for something to happen, and waiting for the referee to go way across the touch line, make a decision, look at it. It could take a couple of minutes.'

He continued: 'The Bologna coach [Carlo Mazzone] made a good point. If you can't make a decision in 30 seconds, the game carries on.'

Fans were in awe of Ferguson's foresight almost 20 years ago, hailing him across social media platform X. 

One user wrote: 'Almost 20 years ago! Spot on! 

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Another added: 'Wow he really was ahead of the time.' 

'Genius. His opinions age like a fine wine,' a third said. 

'Always ahead of the game what a genius,' a fourth fan wrote. 

VAR has inevitably slowed matches down and so Ferguson has been proven correct all these years later. 

The ball is in play less than before and VAR decisions are continually proving contentious with every passing week in the Premier League.

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