The controversial Manchester Derby has an even more dramatic ending: VAR made the wrong call

The controversial Manchester derby took another turn with referee Pro Ref admitting that VAR made a wrong decision in Manchester City’s 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Erling Haaland’s 60th-minute goal was initially ruled out for offside, but the decision was overturned after a lengthy VAR review. The goal eventually proved to be the winner, but the Pro Ref said VAR should have recommended an on-field review due to the involvement of City’s Enzo Fernandez, who was in an offside position during the run. Enzo Fernandez reacts to Manchester City’s offside goal. (Photo by Reuters)

The admission came after Manchester United manager Michael Carrick and defender Lisandro Martinez both expressed their frustration at the decision, which came in a derby already overshadowed by the controversial early red card for City’s Phil Foden.

WHAT HAPPENED TO HAALAND GOAL?

Haaland’s goalscorer was initially flagged for offside when left-back Josko Guardiol swept a cross into United’s penalty area. However, a VAR review showed that the City striker was in an inside position when the ball was played in and the goal ended up standing.

The controversy centered on Fernandez, who was also in an offside position and appeared to attempt a header when he met Guardiola’s pass.

The Premier League Match Center explained that the midfielder did not actually play the ball, meaning he was not penalized for offside and the goal could stand.

However, he told the Pro Ref that VAR should have considered whether Fernandez’s position had an effect on the play.

“The decision on the pitch was offside against Erling Haaland – this was reviewed by VAR and found to be in position on the pitch,” the Pro Ref said in a statement.

“In the same attack, Enzo Fernandez was found to have missed the ball and therefore any offside offense is subjective, however on this occasion VAR failed to recognize the likely impact of his position and should have recommended a review on the pitch.

“Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we believe was an error of judgement. There will be a review of the incident.”

The admission means that the goal that decided the Manchester derby should at least be sent back to the referee for an on-pitch review.

CAR FUMES AFTER COMBINED LOSS OF MAN

Carrick was already frustrated with the decision in the immediate aftermath of the match, questioning why the use of VAR and multiple levels of decision-making failed to produce what he believed to be the right decision.

“I just don’t get it, I really don’t get it, I can’t understand how we try to help the referees, we put so many layers, so many people and bodies and screens behind them and they can’t make the right decision,” Carrick said.

The United manager acknowledged his team did not do enough to win the game but said the nature of the defeat made the decision particularly difficult to accept.

Lisandro Martinez was similarly convinced that the goal should have been disallowed.

“I think it was offside. What I can’t understand are the rules. He was there. I went to him because he was there in front of me, that’s why Haaland was free at the back,” Martinez said.

“I want to be calm now, I want to control myself, it’s so difficult because you lose, you lose the derby, you lose three points at home… it’s unacceptable. Because it’s the best league in the world, you have the best teams in the world, the best players in the world, and now we have to go home with this injustice.”

FODEN RED CARD CHECK

Haaland’s goal was not the only main talking point for the referees at Old Trafford. City were reduced to 10 men early in the game when Foden was sent off after the referee believed he had kicked Bruno Fernandes.

The decision sparked further controversy, with footage showing that Fernandes first made contact with Foden before the City midfielder responded. Despite being at the bottom, City recovered and took control of the game, eventually finding the winner through Haaland.

This made VAR’s decision on the goal even more significant. The already controversial derby ended with the referee himself admitting that the technique failed to correctly assess a key part of the decisive goal.

– The end

Issued by:

Kingshuk Kusari

Published on:

14 Sep 2026 12:10 PM IST