Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has expressed his frustration with the use of VAR ahead of his team’s upcoming William Hill Premiership clash with Aberdeen on Matchday 29. Speaking to the broadcast media, Goodwin opened up about his concerns surrounding the video assistant referee system, which has been a point of contention for several teams across Scotland.
The United manager emphasized that while he understood the intent behind VAR—aimed at ensuring fairer decisions in key match situations—the technology has often led to more confusion than clarity. Goodwin pointed to several instances earlier in the season where VAR decisions were controversial and questioned whether the system was consistently applied across all games.
“It feels like every time VAR is involved, there’s a bit of uncertainty,” Goodwin said. “There’s no question that we want fairness, but it seems like there’s always something up in the air. It’s not just the players and managers who are confused, but the fans too, and that’s something we need to address. At the end of the day, we want to make sure decisions are made quickly and fairly, but it’s important that the process doesn’t become more frustrating than it already is.”
Despite his frustrations with VAR, Goodwin is focused on the task at hand—his team’s showdown with Aberdeen at Pittodrie. The match is a crucial one for both sides, with Dundee United looking to secure vital points in their battle against relegation. Goodwin acknowledged the challenges Aberdeen present but was keen to highlight his team’s positive approach as they look to build momentum.
“Aberdeen are a tough side, and they’ve had some good performances this season,” he said. “But we know we’re capable of causing them problems if we apply ourselves right. We’ve got a strong squad, and we’re focused on making sure we take the game to them. Every point counts, and we need to be at our best if we want to come away with a result.”
The United manager also spoke about his team’s preparations for the match, insisting that the focus has been on improving their defensive solidity and maintaining a balanced approach. “We’ve been working hard in training, trying to tighten up at the back, but also ensuring we’re clinical when we get opportunities going forward,” he explained.
With the season nearing its business end, Goodwin remains confident that his team can escape the relegation zone, but he knows that performances like the one against Aberdeen will be key to their survival hopes. “Every game now is a cup final for us,” he said. “We need to take each match as it comes and give ourselves the best chance of staying up.”
