Referee boss Howard Webb insists there have only been two VAR errors in the Premier League this season… as he reveals the controversial Man United call that left him “frustrated” with the officials.

Howard Webb has jumped to the defense of Premier League officials insisting there have only been two VAR errors in the top flight this season.

Since it was introduced in England’s top flight in 2019, VAR has caused much controversy, with fans often complaining about decisions going against their side.

The time taken to make decisions has also been criticized, but PGMOL chief Webb says the use of technology is improving and errors are being ironed out after a shaky start.

Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, presented by Sky Bet, Webb said: “I don’t think we’ve managed the expectations well in terms of VAR. We knew it was always going to be a situation where it was going to be good in those clear situations, the ones where you think: “This is clearly wrong on the face of it.”

We have this independent panel that has ex-players, and they judge every decision every week, and according to the panel there have only been two VAR errors this season compared to 10 at the same time last year.

Head referee Howard Webb (pictured) believes there have only been two VAR errors this term

VAR has caused controversy since it was introduced to the Premier League in 2019

Webb admitted he was “frustrated” Bruno Fernandes’ red card was not overturned

“We’ve been better at scoring, but that can change and we won’t be complacent, but it’s been better. For me, the most important thing of all is that it’s been quicker. Last season’s average delay through of VAR was 70 seconds per game and this year it is 25 seconds.

“I told the guys, ‘Don’t think too long, if you see a situation that jumps off the screen, get involved, but if you have to think about it too much, say check completed for us. I’ll leave it to the umpire on the field.”That’s why the term ‘umpire’s call’ is useful.’

Arsenal fans have been left furious after seeing Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard sent off for kicking the ball away in the first five games of the season.

But Webb admitted it was a call against Manchester United last month that he felt the officials got wrong.

United captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off in the first half of his side’s 3-0 defeat by Tottenham after grabbing James Maddison on the wrist.

The assistant referee closest to the incident called for Fernandes to be sent off and the attacking midfielder received a straight red card.

However, replays showed that Fernandes slipped just before making the tackle and then caught Maddison with the side of his foot instead of his cleats.

Webb admitted he wished VAR had stepped in at the time to correct the on-field referee as he revealed his “frustration” at how the incident was handled.

“We released the audio and you can hear the assistant, who had a good view of the incident, say it was horrible and 100 percent red for him,” Webb said.

Fernandes was sent off after catching James Maddison in the shin at Old Trafford

Replays showed Fernandes slipped before launching the challenge, but VAR upheld the on-field decision and the Portuguese midfielder was sent off.

“From their point of view, it looks like it because it looks like the studs have gone up, but then there’s an angle, a second Sky Sports replay, and straight away I thought it was going to be an overturn and it wasn’t.

“I was frustrated that we didn’t step in to rectify because in my opinion he was clearly in the wrong as he slipped and tried to trip him but it was the side of his foot, he didn’t put the studs in.”

Fernandes’ red card was overturned on appeal later that week, before he was sent off again in the Europa League against Porto.

However, he was able to play against Aston Villa as United were held to a 0-0 draw in their last game before the international break.

Howard Webb was speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you Sky Bet