Study claims Manchester United biggest benefactor of VAR

Manchester United have benefitted more from the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system than any other Premier League side in 2019-20, according to an analysis from Dr. Thomas Curran at the London School of Economics and ESPN.

Were it not for the video replay technology, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's charges would be five points and five positions worse off than their current standing.

The analysis used Dr. Curran's Anti-VAR Index to determine what the league table would resemble without VAR. The index's algorithm factors in a team's form, the state of the match when the decision was made, and the performance and relative strengths of the respective sides.

Without VAR, United would drop from fifth place in the current table - and a potential Champions League spot in lieu of Manchester City's two-year European competition ban - to 10th.

VAR assisted the Red Devils in snatching a point from likely losses versus Everton and Liverpool while also contributing to victories at Manchester City and Chelsea.

Liverpool star Sadio Mane had a goal disallowed for a handball at United in a match that ended in a draw. The Anti-VAR Index ruled that match as an away win for the Reds. Similarly, United were locked in a stalemate at rivals City in December before Marcus Rashford won a penalty decision following a review. The Anti-VAR Index speculates that United would have otherwise dropped the three points.

The below chart displays the point differentials for the 20 teams in England's top flight in absence of VAR technology, per the Anti-VAR Index:

Only Newcastle (zero) have had fewer VAR decisions go against them than United's one. According to Dr. Curran, Solskjaer's lot leads the Premier League in VAR overturns in favor (nine), net VAR overturns (eight), net goals (six), goals disallowed (zero), subjective decisions in favor (six), and subjective decisions against (zero).

West Ham can feel the most aggrieved by VAR's introduction. The Irons would be six points and three places better off without the technology due to a league-worst nine decisions against them, vaulting David Moyes' side to 13th and comfortably distant of the bottom three.

Similarly, Everton would be in seventh place without VAR, just four points adrift of Wolves and in striking distance of a Champions League spot, according to the Anti-VAR Index.

Only Brighton can take as much joy from VAR's introduction as United. Without it, the Seagulls would drop from 15th place to 19th and a spot in the relegation zone. That would permit Aston Villa (+2 points) to vault from the bottom three.

Here's a look at the current Premier League table at the juncture of the work stoppage when taking into account the Anti-VAR Index: