MANCHESTER — Manchester United boss Michael Carrick looked angry as he called the decision “staggering” and the process behind it “worrying” as United defender Lisandro Martinez called it an “injustice” as a controversial VAR call was at the center of Manchester City’s derby win at Old Trafford on Sunday.
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They are right. VAR got it badly wrong.
United were expecting an apology from the PGMO, but they were contacted within hours of the final whistle.
What happened?
With the score locked at 0-0 and Man City down a player after Phil Foden was sent off in the first half, Erling Haaland finished at the back post in the 60th minute to put Man City 1-0 up. But the offside flag went up.
VAR checked the goal and Haaland was onside. VAR then checked if Enzo Fernandez was offside and impacting play in the middle when the ball came in. He was offside but was deemed to not be directly impacting an opponent as he didn’t touch the ball. The goal stood. City went 1-0 up and went on to win.
The decision about Enzo Fernandez not being deemed to impact an opponent is the big problem here.
Fernandez is clearly impacting an opponent, Lisandro Martinez, by going for a diving header. Martinez would clear the ball or go to mark Haaland if Fernandez didn’t make that dive.
The goal should be ruled out. End of story.
Erling Haaland scores against United with City down to 10 men! pic.twitter.com/pWgwXMR4gi
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) September 13, 2026
Rules from IFAB show goal should be ruled out
IFAB rules state that: “A player in an offside position at the moment the ball is played or touched by a teammate is only penalised on becoming involved in active play by:
- Interfering with play by playing or touching a ball passed or touched by a team mate OR
- Interfering with an opponent by... clearly attempting to play a ball which is close when this action impacts on an opponent
Man United correct to be angry as VAR reaches out to acknowledge error
United are correct to feel aggrieved by this decision and the decision making process by VAR has to be questioned and investigated now an error has been admitted.
It took several minutes for them to get to this decision and still get it badly wrong.
The VAR has held their hand up and say that they did not get this one right. It happens, and Pro Ref says they will investigate the incident.
It won’t make the defeat go away for Manchester United, but at least it has shown accountability and a human side from VAR. A mistake was made. It happens.
Man United didn’t play well despite being up a player for over an hour but they deserved a better decision from VAR.
Haaland’s goal should never have stood.
