Manchester City wrongly awarded Haaland goal by VAR at United: Refs’ body
Professional Game Referees (Pro Ref) has acknowledged that VAR made an error in allowing Erling Haaland’s late winner in Manchester City’s 1-0 win at Manchester United. The body said VAR failed to recognise the likely impact of an offside-positioned Enzo Fernández and should have advised an on-field review.
Why It Matters
The admission highlights a high-profile officiating mistake that directly affected the outcome of a major derby and raises fresh concerns about VAR decision-making and procedural standards in the Premier League. Pro Ref has contacted Manchester United and announced a review of the incident.
Key Facts
- Match result: Manchester City 1-0 Manchester United
- Scorer: Erling Haaland (winner around the hour mark)
- Controversy: VAR overturned an on-field offside call and allowed the goal despite Enzo Fernández being in an offside position and attempting to reach the ball
- Referees' body admission: Professional Game Referees said allowing the goal was an 'error of judgment' and VAR 'did not recognise the likely impact' of Fernández’s position
- Disciplinary context: City were reduced to 10 men earlier after Phil Foden was sent off for kicking Bruno Fernandes.
Erling Haaland’s decisive finish in Manchester City’s 1-0 victory at Old Trafford should not have stood, Professional Game Referees (Pro Ref) has said. The goal, scored about an hour into the game from a Josko Gvardiol cross, was initially ruled out for offside on the pitch before VAR overturned that decision. Pro Ref acknowledged on Sunday that the VAR process failed to identify the probable effect of Enzo Fernández’s offside position. Although Fernández did not make contact with the ball, the referees’ body said the VAR team should have told the on-field officials to review the incident rather than allow the goal to stand. The decision came after Manchester City had been reduced to 10 men following Phil Foden’s dismissal for an altercation with Bruno Fernandes. United manager Michael Carrick described the outcome as worrying after a panel of officials concluded the goal should count, and defender Lisandro Martínez said he felt obstructed by his international teammate Fernández, calling the result unjust. Pro Ref said it had contacted Manchester United to acknowledge the error and that a review of the incident will take place. The admission has renewed scrutiny of VAR procedures in Premier League matches and prompted immediate criticism from United’s camp.
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