Marcus Rashford: Mike Dean explains why Man Utd star’s goal v Liverpool was given

Mike Dean, the former Premier League referee-turned-VAR, has explained why Marcus Rashford’s goal during Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Liverpool was allowed to stand.

Rashford put United 2-0 up at Old Trafford in the 53rd minute with an unerring finish past Alisson.

However, many expected the goal would be disallowed following a VAR review because Rashford appeared to be marginally offside.

Despite the fact Rashford’s right foot appeared to be in front of Liverpool’s last defender, Joe Gomez, the goal was given.

VAR’s decision was that Rashford was *not* offside in this situation.

Considering many of the dubious offside calls we’ve seen in the Premier League over the past few years, this came as a shock to many football fans.

But in his latest column for the Daily Mail, Dean has explained that borderline ‘offsides’ like Rashford’s will sometimes be given due to VAR changes.

“Two years ago, Rashford’s strike might have been disallowed – one of those ‘toenail’ offsides that was highlighted when VAR first arrived in England,” the 54-year-old, who became a deviated video assistant referee this season following his retirement from refereeing, said.

“But the Premier League and PGMOL made changes for the good of the game – in agreement with the clubs – and I want to talk you through that and the process we now go through.

“While most of Old Trafford was celebrating United taking a 2-0 lead, VAR Darren England and his team at Stockley Park were taking a closer look at the moment Rashford broke behind Liverpool’s back line.

“First the ‘kick point’ – the moment a team-mate plays the ball – is confirmed.

“Then the lines are laid. First a one-pixel line to the second last defender, then another one-pixel line to the attacker, at