Refereeing Body Clears The Air On Goal That Led To Man United’s Derby Defeat By City

The Professional Game Referees body (Pro Ref) has officially acknowledged a significant error after video assistant referees awarded Manchester City their match-winning goal in Sunday’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford.

Erling Haaland’s 60th-minute strike—which secured a 1-0 victory for 10-man Manchester City—was initially ruled out on the pitch for offside before VAR overturned the call.

During the attack, City midfielder Enzo Fernandez was positioned in an offside line as he attempted a diving header toward Josko Gvardiol’s cross.

Although Fernandez did not make physical contact with the ball, his movement appeared to directly impede Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez before Haaland finished at the back post.

Following heavy criticism from United officials, Pro Ref issued a statement confirming that an official operational review of the incident will be conducted.

“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,” the officiating body stated.

“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.”

Speaking after the match, Haaland joked with reporters that he “took it a bit personally” when referee Michael Oliver originally raised the flag for offside.

“I looked over to Enzo, the gaffer…he gave me a thumbs up and I kind of knew that it was a goal. So I kind of prepared myself a bit to go and celebrate,” Haaland said.

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick expressed deep frustration over the officiating process, describing the decision to allow the goal as “worrying”.

“I can’t understand how we are trying to help referees – putting so many layers behind them, so many people, so many bodies, so many screens and so many offices, to try to come up with the right decisions – and if that’s how the rule is interpreted, that you’re not interfering with play because you have thrown yourself at the ball six yards from goal and pretty much nearly touched it, it’s worrying if that’s how the game is seen by those who are officiating it,” Carrick asserted.

The controversy unfolded despite Manchester United playing with a numerical advantage for most of the contest after City forward Phil Foden received a straight red card in the 23rd minute following a clash with Bruno Fernandes.

The 1-0 defeat leaves Manchester United with four points from their opening four Premier League matches of the season.

Pundit and former United defender Gary Neville also questioned the interpretation of the offside rule following the final whistle.

“I’m going to need the offside law explaining to me, because that has lost me, I have to say. I do think when they look back on this, they will recognise they got it wrong,” Neville stated during analysis on Sky Sports.