The controversial Manchester derby has taken another turn, with refereeing body Pro Ref admitting that VAR got the decisive call wrong 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 ultimately proved to be the winner, but Pro Ref said VAR should have recommended an on-field review because of the involvement of City’s Enzo Fernandez, who was in an offside position during the build-up.
The admission came after Manchester United manager Michael Carrick and defender Lisandro Martinez both expressed their frustration with the decision, which came in a derby already overshadowed by a controversial early red card for City’s Phil Foden.
WHAT HAPPENED WITH HAALAND’S GOAL?
Goalscorer Haaland was initially flagged offside when left-back Josko Gvardiol swept in a cross into the United penalty area. A VAR review, however, established that the City striker was in an onside position when the ball was played and the goal was eventually allowed to stand.
The controversy centred on Fernandez, who was also in an offside position and appeared to make an attempt to head the ball as Gvardiol’s pass came across.
The Premier League Match Centre explained that the midfielder had not actually played the ball, meaning he was not penalised for offside and the goal was allowed to stand.
Pro Ref, however, said the VAR should have considered whether Fernandez’s position had an impact on the play.
“The on-field decision was offside against Erling Haaland – that was checked by VAR and he was found to be in an onside position,” Pro Ref said in a statement.
“In the same attack, it was established that Enzo Fernandez did not play the ball and therefore that makes any offside offence subjective, however, on this occasion, the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review.
“Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement. A review of the incident will take place.”
The admission means the goal that decided the Manchester derby should, at the very least, have been sent back to the referee for an on-field review.
CARRICK FUMES AFTER MAN UNITED LOSS
Carrick had already been left frustrated by the decision immediately after the match, questioning why the use of VAR and multiple layers of officiating had failed to produce what he felt was the correct call.
“I just don’t get it, I really don’t get it, I can’t understand how we’re trying to help referees, putting so many layers behind them, so many people, bodies and screens, and they can’t make the right decision,” Carrick said.
The United manager acknowledged that his side had not done enough to win the match 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 ruled out.
“I think it was offside. What I can’t understand is 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 hard, because you lose, you lose a 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.”
THE FODEN RED CARD CONTROVERSY
The Haaland goal was not the only major refereeing talking point at Old Trafford. City were reduced to 10 men early in the match when Foden was sent off after the referee deemed that he had kicked Bruno Fernandes.
The decision sparked further controversy, with replays showing Fernandes had made contact with Foden first before the City midfielder responded. Despite being a man down, City recovered to take control of the match and eventually found the winner through Haaland.
That made the VAR decision over the goal even more significant. What had already been a controversial derby ended with the refereeing body itself acknowledging that the technology had failed to properly assess a key part of the decisive goal.
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