Football
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Jose Mourinho says VAR needs to be adjusted, should give fair decisions

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho said the Video Assistant Referee system needs adjustments but likes the idea of it yielding fair decisions.

United will play for the first time in a game in which the system is being trialled when they take on Huddersfield Town in an FA Cup fifth-round tie at John Smith's Stadium on Saturday.

VAR has been used in the competition already this season -- most notably when West Bromwich Albion won 3-2 at Liverpool in the fourth round -- as well as during the Carabao Cup.

"When people ask us if we like it, if we don't like it, if we agree with it or don't agree with it, I think honestly it's a question for the referees," Mourinho told MUTV. "They want to perform the best they can. They don't like to make mistakes, and sometimes they make mistakes because it's a human mistake and you cannot go over it unless you have some technological support.

"So if the referees are happy with that technological support, then yes, let's go for the VAR. I think, from my perspective, I like the feeling. Of course, they need adjustments. They need to make sure that they don't change the dynamic of the game too much, the emotion of the game too much -- people waiting a couple of minutes to know if they can jump [and celebrate] because it was a goal.

"But from my professional perspective, I like the feeling of a right decision is coming. It's a penalty or not a penalty, it's hand ball or not hand ball, it's a red card or not a red card. I think a fair decision is a feeling that I like."

The VAR system took centre-stage during that game between Liverpool and West Brom on Jan. 27, with it being used three times in the first half -- including the first time in English football that a referee used a pitchside television replay.

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