Fact Check: Did Wenger say Man United would be mid-table with video replays?

A comment made by former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger in 2005, suggesting that Manchester United would be a mid-table team if video replays had been available, has resurfaced amid current discussions on football technology. The remark originated during Wenger's public dispute with then-Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Fact-checking by PUNCH Online confirms the statement is true, though it specifically pertains to video replays, not the current Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, which was not in use in English football at the time. Wenger made the assertion in January 2005, following criticism from Ferguson regarding Wenger's conduct after a match in October 2004.

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We need to introduce video replays as quickly as possible. If you take the example of Manchester United, they would be in mid-table now if officials had the benefit of video replays.

The BBC reported Wenger's statement, quoting him as saying, "We need to introduce video replays as quickly as possible." He elaborated, "If you take the example of Manchester United, they would be in mid-table now if officials had the benefit of video replays." Wenger's comments were reportedly prompted by an incident where Tottenham's Pedro Mendes scored a goal against Manchester United that appeared to have crossed the line, but the referee did not see it.

The Guardian also covered the dispute, quoting Wenger similarly: "We need video replays. United would be mid-table if officials had the benefit of them." This remark was seen as a jab at Manchester United's "lucky escape" in the match against Tottenham. The context of this feud included Manchester United's victory over Arsenal, which ended Arsenal's 49-match unbeaten league run, a detail noted by The Guardian as part of the background to the managers' public spat.

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We need video replays. United would be mid-table if officials had the benefit of them.