Michael Carrick's thoughts on VAR in the Championship after Leeds United goal frustrations

Michael Carrick doesn't believe introducing VAR in the Championship will be straightforward - noting the sheer number of people that would be needed to operate it as a factor behind his scepticism around the technology being introduced.

VAR, or at least some kind of lighter version of it in comparison to the Premier League, has been mooted in the Championship for some time now. The cost and facilities needed to introduce video assistant referees have always been noted as a major pitfall for the EFL, however.

Carrick was asked about the potential of VAR in the Championship after being frustrated with Leeds United's third goal against Boro in Monday's 4-3 defeat. More animated than usual after the game as he relayed his frustrations, the Boro boss was still far from pleased with the decision that went against his side as he sat down with the media on Thursday to preview the weekend trip to Cardiff City.

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He said: “It’s frustrating when it goes against you, which it has. From a player's and a coach's point of view, you’re playing offside and holding a line and you feel you’ve done the right thing because offside is offside. But then it’s not given which makes it very difficult to hold confidence and keep faith in what you want to do.

"As a back four or back three, you’re in the right position, but get punished for it when you shouldn’t. Listen, historically, that’s been football as well. We understand that, but it is frustrating when it goes against you."

Asked if VAR in the Championship could be the answer, Carrick stopped short of criticising the technology - or rather use of it - which has created so many controversies since its introduction in the Premier League in 2019. Instead, Carrick opined that the sheer volume of people needed to operate it as his reason for doubting it would come any time soon.

“I don’t think it’s as easy to say, ‘just do it’," he said. "You need a certain amount of bodies to police it. It’s not just the referees and the assistants, it requires a lot of staff and a lot of officials spread across the country watching a lot of TVs to police that. I’m not sure that’s as straightforward as me answering yes or no.”