MAN UNITED KEEN TO TURN IT AROUND

Manchester, Feb. 16: Manchester United will be desperate to bounce back in the FA Cup fifth round against Huddersfield, their first match featuring opinion dividing video assistant referee technology.

Defeat at the hands of Newcastle at the weekend left Jose Mourinho’s men second in the Premier League but just four points clear of Tottenham in fifth as the race for the top four heats up.

Now they travel to Huddersfield — where they lost in the league earlier this season — ahead of a testing run of fixtures that could define their season, with major questions over how best to deploy club record signing Paul Pogba and new boy Alexis Sanchez.

“It’s very difficult to put me in a position where I have to criticise my players,” said Mourinho when quizzed on Pogba’s lack of form, which saw the £ 89 million midfielder dropped by his Portuguese manager when United last faced Huddersfield a fortnight ago.

There have been mixed reactions to the VAR system, which has been used in a handful of League Cup and FA Cup ties.

The recent fourthround FA Cup tie between Liverpool and West Brom proved particularly contentious as the extra official awarded Jurgen Klopp’s side a penalty, ruled out a goal for his opponents then confirmed another would stand.

“When people ask us if we like it, if we don’t like it, if we agree with it or don’t agree with it, I think honestly it’s a question for the referees,” said Mourinho.