VAR ‘error of judgement’ made for Erling Haaland goal in Manchester derby, Pro Ref says

Refereeing officials made an “error of judgement” when applying VAR to assess Erling Haaland’s winning goal in the Manchester derby on Sunday, Pro Ref have said.

The Manchester City striker scored the only goal of the game to beat rivals Manchester United at their home stadium Old Trafford, despite being reduced to 10 men after Phil Foden was sent off for violent conduct in the first half.

Referee Michael Oliver had initially disallowed the goal for offside — with Haaland appearing ahead of full-back Patrick Dorgu and midfielder Enzo Fernandez lunging towards the cross from an offside position — but this decision was overturned by the video assistant referee.

A spokesperson for English football’s refereeing body said following the match on Sunday that the VAR “did not recognise the likely impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review” and a subsequent investigation will take place.

“Following the incident in the 60th minute of Sunday’s Premier League fixture between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford, we can provide clarification regarding Erling Haaland’s awarded goal,” the statement read. “The on-field decision was offside against Erling Haaland – that was checked by VAR and he was found to be in an onside position.

“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 rules of the Premier League state that “a player will be penalised if they are clearly attempting to play a ball which is close when this action impacts on an opponent”. Fernandez was being marked at the time by United defender Lisandro Martinez, who in turn had left Haaland free at the back post.

During the match, the Premier League match centre said: “VAR checked the referee’s call of no goal for offside – and determined that Haaland was in an onside position and recommended that the goal was awarded. The VAR also deemed that while in an offside position, Fernandez didn’t play the ball.”

Enzo Maresca’s side played the majority of the Premier League fixture a player down as Foden was sent off in the 23rd minute for violent conduct after appearing to kick Bruno Fernandes, a decision which the VAR referee confirmed.

United head coach Michael Carrick said after the match that the decision to let the goal stand was “worrying”.

“I just don’t get it. I really don’t get it,” he said. “I can’t understand how they’re trying to help referees and putting so many layers behind them with so many people, so many bodies, so many screens, and so many whatever offices they are to try and come up with the right decisions.

“If that’s how the rules are interpreted, that you’re not interfering with play because you’ve thrown yourself at the ball six yards from goal and pretty much nearly touched it. On top of that, the line was a bit dubious where they drew the line to start with. It’s worrying if that’s really how the game’s seen by those who are officiating it.”

City now sit second in the league table ahead of a third-round League Cup visit by Norwich City on Thursday, while United have dropped to 13th. They are next in action in the same cup round against Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday.

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