Manchester City wrongly awarded Haaland goal by VAR at United: Refs’ body

Published On 13 Sep 202613 Sep 2026.

Key points

• With City down to 10 men after Phil Foden's dismissal for kicking Bruno Fernandes, Haaland netted on the hour mark with a close-range finish from Josko Gvardiol's cross.
• Nevertheless, Pro Ref afterwards on Sunday noted the VAR "did not recognise the likely impact" of the Argentine midfielder's position and "should have recommended an on-field review".
• After the match, United manager Michael Carrick remarked it was "worrying" that a team of office-holders had come to the conclusion that Haaland's goal should stand.
• The Argentine remarked he was clearly impacted by the presence of his international teammate Fernandez and branded the City goal an "injustice".
• Fernandez did not touch the ball, so the goal was given, allowing Haaland to celebrate his ninth league strike in Manchester derbies.

Professional Game Referees (Pro Ref) admitted on Sunday that the decision to allow Erling Haaland's winner in Manchester City's 1-0 victory over Manchester United was an "error of judgment".

Meanwhile, the goal was initially disallowed for offside against Haaland, but VAR eventually overturned that decision, even though City midfielder Enzo Fernandez was in an offside position and attempted to reach the ball before the Norwegian forward.

Premier League Match Centre posted on social media after the goal to say the VAR "determined that Haaland was in an onside position" and "deemed that while in an offside position, Fernandez didn't play the ball".

"Contact has been created with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgment. A review of the incident will take place, " the statement continued.

Lisandro Martinez was the United defender at the centre of the controversy.

Meanwhile, the Argentine remarked he was clearly impacted by the presence of his international teammate Fernandez and branded the City goal an "injustice".

"I went to him since he was in front of me. That's why Haaland was free at the back, " Martinez informed Sky Sports.

Five or six individuals doing this kind of mistake in the Premier League is unacceptable. We have to go home with this injustice.

Taken together, the developments around manchester City wrongly awarded Haaland goal by VAR at United: Refs' body point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.