Pro Ref admits error after controversial Haaland goal decides Manchester derby
England's refereeing body acknowledged a misjudgment on Erling Haaland's winning goal in Manchester City's 1-0 victory over Manchester United, admitting VAR should have recommended an onfield review of the offside incident.
Yousef Al Marzouqi
Pro Ref admits error after controversial Haaland goal decides Manchester derby
England's refereeing authority has acknowledged an error of judgment after a controversial goal by Erling Haaland secured Manchester City's 1-0 victory over Manchester United in Sunday's derby at Old Trafford.
Pro Ref, the governing body of Premier League referees, admitted that the Video Assistant Referee failed to recognize the impact of Enzo Fernández's positioning during the buildup to Haaland's 60th-minute winner and should have recommended an onfield review. The organization, which was rebranded from Professional Game Match Officials this season and is led by Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb, contacted United to acknowledge the misjudgment.
The goal initially was ruled out for offside before VAR intervened to overturn the decision, sparking fury among United's players and staff. Fernández, the £125 million midfielder who joined City from Chelsea in late August and was making his first derby appearance, dived to head the ball while in an offside position. Though he did not make contact, football laws state a player interferes with play when clearly attempting to play the ball or challenging an opponent.
United defender calls decision an injustice
Lisandro Martinez, who was challenging Fernández for the ball, called the goal an injustice. Manager Michael Carrick, appointed permanently in May after securing Champions League qualification during an impressive interim spell, expressed bewilderment at the decision.
I just don't get it, I really don't get it. It's worrying, it really is if that's how the game is seen by those who are officiating.
The acknowledgment of error came hours after the final whistle, too late to change the outcome of the 199th meeting between the two clubs since their first encounter in 1881. United holds the historical advantage with 81 wins compared to City's 63 victories and 55 draws.
Red card changes the game
The controversy overshadowed what had been a match transformed by Phil Foden's 23rd-minute red card for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes. City manager Enzo Maresca, who succeeded Pep Guardiola in June after winning the Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup during an 18-month spell at Chelsea, argued that Fernandes should also have been dismissed for the altercation.
Despite playing with 10 men for more than an hour, City weathered sustained United pressure. Marcus Rashford struck the post with a long-range free kick before halftime, and Kobbie Mainoo hit the woodwork with a low shot from the edge of the area after the interval.
The red card changed the plan of the game, but credit to the players and their effort, spirit and togetherness was brilliant. It is already an abnormal situation when you are able to win a game with 10 players. It is fantastic. Then this game is a derby so it is even better.
Haaland extends derby dominance
The goal extended Haaland's remarkable record in Manchester derbies. With nine goals in just eight Premier League appearances in the fixture, he now stands alone as the competition's all-time leading scorer in these matches, surpassing Wayne Rooney and Sergio Aguero, who each scored eight times. Rooney needed 21 games to reach that tally, while Aguero required 13.
Haaland's sixth goal of the season in all competitions helped City maintain their perfect start under Maresca, moving level on points with defending champion Arsenal at the top of the standings.
For United, the defeat represents a second loss in four games, leaving the club 13th in the table with just one win. Carrick dismissed suggestions his team needs a reset during the upcoming international break.
We haven't got as many points as we would have liked at this point, for sure. There's no getting away from that. But we don't need a break or a restart. We've just got to move on and get winning again.
United faces Brighton in the English League Cup on Wednesday before hosting winless Fulham next weekend. The defeat at Old Trafford extended City's record as the team with the most Premier League victories at the ground against United, with 10 wins compared to Liverpool's eight.
