VAR will be in operation during Manchester United’s Carabao Cup semi-final tie with Nottingham Forest across both legs.
The technology was not in use in previous rounds but will be used in both the last four stage and the final itself. The no-VAR ruling was in operation for all teams in former rounds, unlike the FA Cup where grounds that can facilitate the system are allowed to use it.
The Carabao Cup strived for consistency across all prior rounds so opted against implementing VAR but will use the technology for the first time ever from the semi-finals onwards with all four remaining clubs able to accommodate it.
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Newcastle and Southampton play in the other semi-final. The other rule change that is set to come in sees extra-time reinstalled. In former rounds, games that were level went straight to penalties without the added 30 minutes.
This is set to change with extra-time coming in for the second leg of the semi-finals - in which there is no away-goals rule - and the final, if needed. A penalty shoot-out will proceed if the sides still cannot be separated after 120 minutes.
United will be hoping that they get the job done in regulation time amid their packed schedule. The Reds host Crystal Palace in the Premier League three days after their second leg with Forest, before two matches with Leeds four days apart over the proceeding eight days.
Should United make the final, they will step onto the Wembley turf on February 26. They are already scheduled to play Brentford on that date, meaning a semi-final victory would cause that to be rearranged for a suitable and timely slot.
Three days before the final they play Barcelona at home in the second leg of their Europa League knock-out tie. A week after the potential Wembley trip, Erik ten Hag’s men travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool.
United are the only Premier League side still in four competitions, which could still be the case going into March if all goes to plan. They are already set to play eight games in February with an average rest time of four days between each clash.
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