Erling Haaland’s decisive goal in Sunday’s Manchester derby should have been ruled out, according to Pro Ref, after VAR failed to properly assess Enzo Fernández’s involvement in the build-up.

The goal gave Manchester City victory at Old Trafford, but the officiating body has now acknowledged that the video review team made an error by deciding Fernández had not interfered with play. Pro Ref has contacted Manchester United and confirmed that the incident will undergo a formal review.

Haaland struck in the 60th minute after Josko Gvardiol sent a cross into the United penalty area. The ball deflected off Patrick Dorgu’s boot before travelling past Fernández and Lisandro Martínez, with City’s No 9 eventually applying the finish.

The assistant referee initially raised the flag for offside against Haaland. VAR subsequently checked the decision and established that the City striker himself had been in an onside position.

The more complicated issue concerned Fernández’s position. Although he did not make contact with the ball, Martínez was marking him during the attack, raising questions over whether the midfielder had affected the defender’s ability to respond to the cross.

Pro Ref later acknowledged that the subjective element of the offside law had not been handled correctly.

“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,” Pro Ref said.

The organisation explained that the original on-field offside decision was reviewed and Haaland was correctly determined to be onside.

However, Pro Ref added that Fernández’s failure to touch the ball did not automatically settle whether an offside offence had occurred, because his potential influence on the play still needed to be assessed.

The VAR team ultimately failed to recognise the likely impact of Fernández’s position and should instead have advised the referee to review the incident at the pitchside monitor.

Pro Ref said it had subsequently contacted United to acknowledge what it considered an error of judgement, with the incident now set for further examination.

Carrick Questions How the Decision Was Reached

Michael Carrick had already voiced his frustration before Pro Ref released its explanation.

The United manager admitted he had not initially seen the entire incident clearly, but said the explanation provided to him was that Fernández had not interfered with play. That reasoning left him struggling to understand how the decision had been reached.

Carrick questioned why the modern officiating system, with multiple officials, screens and layers of review, could still produce what he regarded as such an obvious decision.

His main concern was the interpretation of interference. Carrick argued that Fernández had moved towards the ball close to goal and almost made contact, forcing Martínez to react to the situation.

For the United manager, that appeared to fall squarely within the meaning of interfering with play. He warned that it would be troubling if officials genuinely viewed such an action as irrelevant under the current interpretation of the rules.

When asked whether he would welcome an apology from Pro Ref, Carrick responded positively but sarcastically, saying he would be waiting for it. He also questioned what further explanation could be given when, in his view, the meaning of interference in that situation was straightforward.

City Disagree Over Fernández’s Involvement

City’s manager Enzo Maresca offered a contrasting assessment of the incident.

Rather than questioning the decision, Maresca maintained that Fernández had not interfered with the play. He also pointed out that the fourth official had confirmed Haaland was in an onside position.

The goal ultimately stood, allowing City to take all three points from the 199th meeting between the two Manchester clubs.

Foden Red Card Adds to Derby Controversy

Haaland’s goal was not the only major refereeing talking point at Old Trafford.

Phil Foden was dismissed in the 23rd minute after kicking Bruno Fernandes in the stomach. The incident came after Fernandes had first kicked the City forward, creating another contentious moment for referee Michael Oliver to assess.

Maresca supported Oliver’s decision to show Foden a red card, accepting that the City player’s action was punishable.

At the same time, however, the City boss believed Fernandes should also have been dismissed for his initial involvement.

“Phil Foden red card is a red card, but I also think it is red card from Bruno,” Maresca said. He argued that Foden’s action was clearly a reaction, while a review of the sequence also showed what Fernandes had done beforehand.

United Face Early Points Pressure

The derby result leaves City on 12 points, putting them second in the table behind Arsenal only on goal difference.

United, meanwhile, have collected just four points and sit 13th.

Despite the disappointing start, Carrick insisted he remained confident about the direction of the team.

He acknowledged that United should have taken more points from their opening matches, but said the shortfall would not alter the club’s ambitions or the progress he believes the squad has made.

Carrick maintained that the team had taken significant steps forward over a period of time and would continue working towards its objectives for the remainder of the season.

Carrick Addresses Supporters’ Protest

The United manager was also asked about a protest held before kick-off concerning the club’s efforts to eliminate ticket touting.

Some supporters have criticised the measures as excessively strict. United announced on Friday that 685 accounts had been banned, while another 464 supporters had received either a reduced punishment or a final warning.

Carrick said he was not always directly involved in all the details surrounding the policy, but stressed that he understood the importance of listening to supporters.

He said the club should make every effort to address genuine concerns from fans, both through its performances on the pitch and through its decisions away from match action.

For Carrick, supporters remain fundamental to Manchester United and represent an essential part of the football club.

That dissatisfaction was clearly visible inside Old Trafford. The Red Army displayed a banner across the tunnel reading, “The Way You Treat Us Is A Disgrace.”

Meanwhile, the customary banners at the Stretford End were removed.