Premier League release statement as Man United and Ipswich forced to play without VAR

For roughly five minutes of the first half between Manchester United and Ipswich Town, VAR was not in use following a likely evacuation at Stockley Park.

Just 82 seconds into the Premier League clash, Marcus Rashford kickstarted the Ruben Amorim era in style as he touched home an Amad Diallo cross. The following 41 minutes were not quite filled with such major talking points, though for any controversial incidents, Anthony Taylor and his three assistants at Portman Road were on their own.

In the 38th minute, Bruno Fernandes and Sam Morsy were called over to be informed that VAR would not be in use because of a fire alarm at Stockley Park with Peter Drury announcing as such to viewers watching on Sky Sports.

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On X, a statement from the Premier League Match Centre said: "The match will be operating without VAR until further notice due to a fire alarm at the VAR Hub at Stockley Park."

Just before half time though, Omari Hutchinson levelled the clash with a stunning left-footed effort, though the goal did not arrive in controversial circumstances. Drury later confirmed that the technology was back in use for the three minutes of stoppage time.

Jarred Gillett, who is the lead VAR for the clash, will have likely reviewed an incident right at the end of the half when Liam Delap clashed with Noussair Mazraoui. Following a foul by the Ipswich man, the Morocco international squared up to his man before the duo were separated.