Manchester Derby VAR Row
Erling Haaland scores as Manchester City defeats Manchester United following VAR controversy.
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Key Points
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Erling Haaland’s goal came from a deflected Josko Gvardiol cross, with the on-field assistant referee initially flagging the striker offside before VAR overturned the decision.
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Michael Carrick said the explanation that Enzo Fernandez was not interfering with play was difficult to understand, arguing that Fernandez had “thrown yourself at the ball six yards from goal” and forced Lisandro Martinez to react. Carrick also questioned the position of the VAR offside line and sarcastically said he “can’t wait” for an apology from referees’ chief Howard Webb.
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Lisandro Martinez told Sky Sports that he moved to mark Fernandez because the midfielder was in front of him, leaving Haaland free at the back post; when asked whether he would have marked Haaland without Fernandez’s presence, Martinez replied, “Definitely, it’s as simple as that.”
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Gary Neville said he expected officials to recognize they had made a mistake, arguing that Fernandez’s offside position prevented Martinez from getting to the ball even though Fernandez did not touch it.
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Manchester United’s next fixtures were listed as an EFL Cup match against Brighton on September 16, a Premier League trip to Fulham on September 20, and later matches against Tottenham Hotspur and Atlético Madrid after the international break.
Manchester City beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford despite playing most of the match with 10 men, with Erling Haaland's controversial goal sparking a major VAR row. Pro Ref acknowledged an "error of judgement" after VAR overturned an offside call on Haaland's 60th-minute strike, admitting the decision should have gone to the referee on the field instead of standing as-is.
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez called the decision an "injustice," arguing that Enzo Fernández's offside position forced him to react and left Haaland unmarked at the back post. Manager Michael Carrick questioned both the interference ruling and the VAR offside lines, sarcastically saying he "can't wait" for an apology from referees' chief Howard Webb. The Sun reported his frustration with the oversight.
Haaland Scores From Deflection Amid Chaos
The goal came from a deflected Josko Gvardiol cross into the box around the hour mark. The on-field assistant referee flagged Haaland offside immediately. But Pro Ref intervened and ruled that United defender Patrick Dorgu had kept him level, and that offside-positioned Enzo Fernández had not played the ball. City kept the lead and held on to win.
VAR's Interference Judgment Under Fire
The real debate centers on whether Fernández's offside position interfered with play without him touching the ball. Sportskeeda reported that Martinez said Fernández "was in front of me" and forced him to mark the midfielder instead of Haaland. Gary Neville argued that Fernández's position obstructed Martinez and prevented him from reaching the ball, even though Fernández never made contact with it.
Michael Carrick told journalists that Fernández had "thrown yourself at the ball six yards from goal," forcing Martinez to react and creating space for Haaland at the back post. Carrick questioned whether the VAR offside lines were positioned correctly and suggested Webb and other officials had missed a clear mistake. Metro reported the acknowledgment that an on-field review should have been recommended.
Phil Foden Red Card Shifts Match Dynamic
City played much of the match with 10 men after Phil Foden was sent off in the first half for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes. Despite the disadvantage, City held firm and denied United any goals. United pressed hard late on and hit the woodwork through Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo but could not break through. Gianluigi Donnarumma made a stoppage-time save from Bryan Mbeumo to seal the win.
City Rise, United Slip Deeper Into Trouble
The victory moved Manchester City second in the Premier League table with 12 points from four matches. Manchester United remain in 13th place with just four points. Mirror noted that Pro Ref has pledged a formal assessment of the decision. United's next fixture is an EFL Cup match against Brighton on September 16, followed by a Premier League trip to Fulham on September 20.
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