Third-time lucky: How VAR decisions have aided Man United’s top four push [PHOTOS]

Dominic Calvert-Lewin scores but the Man Utd players protest straight away. [Courtesy]

Manchester United have not lost a Premier League match for a while now. In fact, the Red Devils last defeat was at home to Burnley FC where they were thrashed two-nil.

Their fine performances of late can be attributed to their January signing Bruno Fernandes.

The Portuguese playmaker has catapulted Ole Gunner’s boys to fifth position in the league table and has brought back hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

The 25-year-old ex-Sporting Lisbon midfielder has injected speed in the Red Devils midfield, one normally methodic and slow - boasting three goals in six matches.

But it’s not only Fernandes that has fueled Man United’s upward trajectory. Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decisions have by far and largely contributed to the club’s results.

At Goodison Park on Sunday, March 1, Calvert-Lewin’s goal at the dying moments of the game would have condemned Man United to their ninth loss of the season. However, his goal was disallowed after lengthy VAR consultations, leaving the Toffees manager fuming.

In a rather controversial decision, Everton’s Gylfi Sigurdsson was ruled to have obstructed David De Gea’s line of vision, making him unable to properly make a save. In the build-up to this disallowed goal. Man United full-back Aaron Wan Bissaka appeared to have fouled the Iceman.

The decision infuriated Everton Head Coach Carlo Ancelloti who confronted the referee and was shown a red card.

This is not the first time VAR has come to man united’ rescue this season.

Football enthusiasts could argue United hugely benefited from VAR as they played Chelsea at the Stamford Bridge a fortnight ago.

The Red Devils, who came out 2-0 victors, are lucky not to have gone ten men down after skipper Harry Maguire appeared to have kicked out at Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi.

On different platforms, fans argued Maguire should have been sent off, even though he denied it was intentional. Another VAR Controversy ensued when it ruled the Man United man had not acted in a violent manner.

Chelsea’s Kourt Zuma thought he had equalised for the Blues from a corner kick, but VAR cut short his celebrations for appeared to be a foul committed by his teammate Cesar Azpilicueta on United’s defender Brandon Williams.

Chelsea’s Kourt Zuma thought he had equalised for the Blues. [Courtesy]

VAR seemingly ignored Fred’s slight shove on Azpilicueta, leaving the Blues clutching at straws, eventually losing the match.

In October last year Carrow Road, Man United were handed to penalties after VAR consultations in the first half.

Solskjaer, after the game, was the first to admit his team never deserved the first penalty.

"I don't want to talk too much about VAR. I disagree with the first one," Solskjaer said.