Michael Carrick urges Man Utd players to move on from VAR controversy

United lost 1-0 at Old Trafford after Erling Haaland's winner was allowed to stand despite Enzo Fernandez being in an offside position and attempting to play the ball. City had already been reduced to 10 men following Phil Foden's 23rd-minute red card.

Howard Webb, Pro Ref's chief refereeing officer, later admitted he was "really disappointed" with the decision, while the refereeing body apologised to United.

Carrick accepts the error had a major impact but wants his players to move on.

"It can have an impact in the moment of time; it can have a big impact," he said. "But we can't let it have an impact on the rest of the season; that's for us to get back to winning ways as soon as possible."

Despite his frustration, Carrick said he still had faith in VAR.

"One-off things can happen," he said. "At the time it was a pretty big one, we know that. But yes, I've got faith in it."

However, he admitted the apology did little to ease his disappointment.

"The apology doesn't mean an awful lot," Carrick said. "I can appreciate, and I respect it for them putting their hands up and saying 'we got that wrong'. I think it happens; it does happen."

United's difficult week continued when they surrendered a 2-0 lead against Brighton to lose 3-2 at Old Trafford and exit the Carabao Cup.

That made it consecutive home defeats for the first time since Carrick took charge in January, but he rejected suggestions that the results pointed to a bigger problem.

"It doesn't suddenly mean there is a big and huge problem, and that is the balance I have to assess," he said.

United now travel to Fulham on Sunday, with Carrick calling on his side to respond on the pitch rather than dwell on the derby controversy.

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