Manchester United reject £200m bid from Real Madrid for VAR

Furious Manchester United bosses have written to Real Madrid demanding Los Blancos end their public pursuit of VAR. The Video Assistant Referee has been in scintillating form since joining the Old Trafford outfit last season contributing 155 penalties in just 70 games.

So far United have been unwavering in their determination to keep hold of their prized asset, even turning down an eye-watering £200m bid for the new technology. Madrid president Florentino Pérez claims he received a letter from United CEO Ed Woodward which called for Real to drop their interest in VAR and publicly declare they will never sign it.

“Mr Woodward sent me a letter, which he’d personally written using a red crayon”, Pérez told Paddy Power News.

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“He said that VAR is on course to be even more influential than Eric Cantona and they will never sell to us – no matter how much we offer. Though he did say he would consider a similar offer for Jesse Lingard, if we’re interested”, added the 73-year-old.

Speculation is mounting that VAR will seek a January exit from the Manchester club, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is adamant his star player will stay for the rest of this season and beyond.

“VARsy’s been an absolute revelation since he joined us, so I am not surprised other clubs would be jealous”, grinned the Norwegian.

“West Brom could have had a penalty, but VARsy used all his experience to get us out of jail on that occasion. Then at the other end he’s won us a double penalty. I guess you could say he’s box-to-box”, giggled the 47-year-old.

Meanwhile, United have so far refused to comment on speculation that the club will rename Old Trafford’s East Stand in VAR’s honour. Rumours began circulating when footage emerged on social media of some restorative work taking place on the old stand.

One club insider told Paddy Power News, “Like Busby, Charlton and Ferguson, it’s only right that VAR should have its own name etched in United’s history. That winner after the final whistle at Brighton made VAR a part of the club’s folklore”.

“The unveiling will take place before United’s home game against İstanbul Başakşehir F.K., when Bruno Fernandes will take two or three attempts to cut the ribbon”.

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