VAR admits error in allowing Haaland winner in Manchester derby
The professional referees’ body has admitted that VAR made the wrong call by allowing Erling Haaland’s decisive goal in Manchester City’s 1-0 derby win over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Haaland scored in the 60th minute after a Josko Gvardiol pass. The goal was initially ruled out for offside before VAR overturned the decision and confirmed that Haaland himself was onside.
City went on to win 1-0, but the officials have now accepted that the review missed a key part of the move: the position and actions of City team-mate Enzo Fernandez.
Fernandez was in an offside position and tried to head the ball. He did not make contact, which was why VAR concluded that no offence had occurred. However, the referees’ body said the video officials did not properly consider whether his attempt to play the ball had affected the situation.
“The on-field decision was offside against Erling Haaland. This was checked by VAR, which showed that he was not in an offside position,” the statement said. “Within the same attacking phase, it was determined that Enzo Fernandez did not touch the ball and that any offside offence was therefore subjective. However, in this case, VAR did not recognise the potential impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review.”
The statement added that Manchester United were contacted on Sunday evening to acknowledge what the officials described as an error of judgement.
“We have contacted Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we believe was an error of judgement. A review of the incident will take place.”
The admission will do little to soften United’s frustration. The goal proved decisive in a derby that had already been full of controversy, with City playing most of the second half with 10 men after Phil Foden’s red card.
United had hit the post twice before Haaland scored and had put City under sustained pressure after the break. When the goal was awarded, United argued that Fernandez’s movement and attempt to play the ball should have been enough to make his offside position relevant.
Michael Carrick was furious after the final whistle.
The United manager said he could not understand how the decision had been missed despite the number of officials and technological tools involved.
“I really don’t understand it. I can’t get my head around it,” Carrick said in his post-match press conference. “I can’t understand how we are trying to help referees, putting so many layers of support behind them, so many people, equipment and screens, and they still can’t get the decision right.”
The review cannot change the result, and City keep the three points. But it raises another difficult question about how VAR judges an offside player who does not touch the ball yet makes a clear attempt to do so.
