Manchester United FC head coach Michael Carrick was left frustrated with the use of VAR following his side’s 2-2 draw against AFC Bournemouth.

The controversy centered on a key moment in the second half when Amad Diallo went down in the box with United leading 1-0, only for referee Stuart Attwell to wave play on. Just seconds later, Ryan Christie equalised for Bournemouth, a turning point that left United furious.

According to the Premier League Match Centre, the decision was based on the view that the contact was not strong enough to justify a foul.

However, tensions grew further later in the game when Harry Maguire was sent off for pulling down Evanilson inside the area, leading to a penalty that Junior Kroupi converted to earn Bournemouth a point.

United had earlier taken the lead from the spot after Alex Jimenez fouled Matheus Cunha, allowing Bruno Fernandes to score. But Carrick felt his team should have been awarded another penalty for the challenge on Amad.

He suggested that the two incidents were almost identical, pointing out that both involved similar contact in the box with players in control of the ball.

In his view, if one was given, the other should have been too. He questioned how officials could reach different conclusions on such comparable situations, especially given the impact on the game.

Carrick also expressed confusion over VAR’s role, arguing that once one decision had been made, the second should have been straightforward to review and correct if necessary. He added that while discussions or even apologies might follow, they would not change the outcome of the match.

United captain Fernandes echoed his manager’s frustration, insisting the team could have doubled their lead had the second penalty been awarded.

He pointed out the inconsistency between the two decisions, noting that similar incidents were judged differently. While acknowledging how difficult it can be for referees to make repeated big calls, he questioned why VAR did not step in to ensure consistency, arguing that either both situations should have resulted in penalties or neither should have.

Pep Guardiola praised his Manchester City FC players after their Carabao Cup final win, admitting they had to overcome an Arsenal FC side he considers “almost impossible to beat.”

City secured a 2-0 victory at Wembley to lift the first trophy of the season, with Nico O’Reilly scoring twice in quick succession during the second half after a tightly contested opening period.

Arsenal, who were aiming to end their long wait for silverware, struggled to respond to the sudden burst of goals that ultimately decided the game.

Despite the win, Guardiola was quick to highlight the quality of the opposition, explaining that his side found it extremely difficult to cope early on.

He noted that Arsenal’s intensity in the opening stages made it hard for City to settle, describing how his team were put under heavy pressure before gradually growing into the match.

He expressed satisfaction with the result but emphasised that Mikel Arteta has built a side that is incredibly difficult to break down.

Guardiola also suggested that, even with the trophy secured, City are still not operating at the same level as Arsenal at this moment, or even at the peak standards they have set in previous seasons. He added that winning any title is always significant, but doing so against such a strong opponent makes it even more meaningful.

The City boss went further by placing Arsenal among the elite teams in Europe, alongside FC Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona, underlining the scale of the challenge his team had to overcome.

Looking ahead to the Premier League title race, Guardiola admitted he would prefer to be in Arsenal’s position with a commanding lead, acknowledging that dropped points have made City’s task more difficult. Still, he insisted his team will continue to push and see how far they can go.

Although the defeat ended Arsenal’s hopes of winning a major trophy this season, they remain in a strong position domestically, sitting nine points clear at the top of the table.

Club legend Ian Wright warned that the title race is far from over, pointing out that with a game in hand and a direct meeting still to come, the gap could quickly shrink. He stressed that Arsenal must quickly regain focus and maintain their winning momentum, adding that however they secure victories, consistency will be key in the final stretch.

Arsenal return to league action after the international break with a home game against Bournemouth, while Manchester City face Chelsea in their next fixture.

Gary Neville believes Manchester City FC have dealt a significant psychological blow to title rivals Arsenal FC after their Carabao Cup final triumph.

The match at Wembley remained tense and goalless for over an hour before Nico O’Reilly changed the course of the game with two quickfire goals in the second half. The breakthrough came after a costly mistake from Kepa Arrizabalaga, who failed to deal with a cross from Rayan Cherki and inadvertently set up O’Reilly for a simple finish. Just minutes later, the midfielder struck again with a header, putting City firmly in control and leaving Arsenal reeling.

Arsenal, still chasing their first major trophy since 2020, struggled to respond as City tightened their grip on the game, handing Pep Guardiola another success in the competition.

Neville was particularly critical of Arrizabalaga, pointing not only to the decisive error but also to his overall approach during the second half. He suggested the goalkeeper’s hesitation on the ball allowed City to apply pressure and disrupted Arsenal’s rhythm. According to Neville, the Spaniard’s delay in releasing possession only energized the opposition and signaled uncertainty within the team, ultimately contributing to the costly mistake.

He also questioned Arsenal’s overall performance after the break, suggesting that Mikel Arteta’s side lost their composure and intensity at a crucial stage of the match.

Despite the defeat ending Arsenal’s hopes of a quadruple, they remain in a strong position in the Premier League title race, holding a nine-point lead over City.

Neville added that the victory could prove pivotal for Manchester City’s momentum, giving them a much-needed boost at a key stage of the season. At the same time, he warned that Arsenal must respond quickly, as the pressure now shifts back onto them in the final stretch of the campaign.

Arsenal return to league action with a home fixture against Bournemouth on April 11, while City face Chelsea the following day.