Manchester derby VAR officials stood down from weekend Premier League games

Published On 14 Sep 202614 Sep 2026.

Key points

• United, who are 13th in the English top flight after the defeat, are next in action when they play Brighton in the League Cup on Wednesday.
• Nevertheless, the refereeing body afterwards noted the VAR had failed to take into ‌account the impact of teammate Enzo Fernandez.
• Haaland's second-half strike was initially ruled out for ⁠offside before being awarded after a VAR review ⁠that determined the Norwegian ⁠striker was onside.

Matt ‌Donohue, the video assistant referee (VAR) ⁠who ⁠allowed Erling Haaland's winner in Manchester City's 1-0 victory over Manchester ⁠United, has not been selected to officiate at any of next ⁠weekend's Premier League football fixtures.

Assistant VAR Blake Antrobus has additionally not been given any assignment after the refereeing body Pro Ref ‌acknowledged in an official note that VAR was wrong to allow Haaland's decisive goal.

In practice, the decision was taken by chief refereeing officer Howard Webb and the management team, with neither ⁠official projected to return ⁠to duty until at least after the international break.

Nevertheless, the refereeing body afterwards noted the VAR had failed to take into ‌account the impact of teammate Enzo Fernandez. This person attempted to play the ‌ball ‌from an offside position.

United, who are 13th in the English top flight after the defeat, are next in action when they play Brighton in the League Cup on Wednesday. Their next Premier League game will be played at Fulham on Sunday.

City entertain Norwich City in the cup on Thursday, before hosting Sunderland on Sunday in the league, where they are level on points with leaders and defending champions Arsenal.

For now, manchester derby VAR officials stood down from weekend Premier League games remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.