Pro Ref apologises to Man United after admitting VAR error in derby defeat

Erling Haaland’s goal that handed Manchester City a 1-0 derby victory over Manchester United should not have stood, Premier League refereeing body Pro Ref has admitted.

Pro Ref apologised to Manchester United after conceding that VAR made an “error of judgment” during Sunday’s clash at Old Trafford, failing to recognise the impact of an offside Enzo Fernández in the build-up to the decisive goal.

The admission means the only goal of the Manchester derby on Sunday, 13 September 2026, was incorrectly awarded after VAR decided Fernández was inactive because he did not touch the ball.

Pro Ref said VAR “did not recognise the likely impact” of Fernández’s position and should have recommended an on-field review by referee Michael Oliver.

The controversy wasn’t over whether Haaland himself was offside. Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu’s boot had played the striker onside.

Instead, the decisive question was whether Fernández’s actions from an offside position interfered with United defender Lisandro Martínez.

Pro Ref has now acknowledged that VAR got that judgment wrong.

What happened with Haaland’s goal?

The decisive moment arrived in the 60th minute.

Haaland turned a Joško Gvardiol cross into the net at the back post, but the assistant referee immediately raised the flag for offside.

The goal was initially disallowed.

VAR Matthew Donohue and Assistant VAR Blake Antrobus then reviewed the incident.

The review established that Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu’s boot had played Haaland onside.

But that wasn’t the end of the offside question.

Enzo Fernández’s involvement sparked controversy

Fernández was in an offside position during the move and lunged towards the ball.

His movement drew the attention of United defender Lisandro Martínez.

Fernández did not touch the ball, however, and the VAR team considered him inactive in the move.

The decision was therefore made to award Haaland’s goal without sending referee Oliver to the pitchside monitor for another look.

That judgment has now been acknowledged as an error.

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Pro Ref admits VAR should have intervened

Pro Ref issued a statement following the match conceding that the goal should have been overturned.

While an offside offence that doesn’t involve physical contact requires a subjective judgment, the refereeing body said VAR “did not recognise the likely impact” of Fernández’s position.

An on-field review should therefore have been recommended.

The admission doesn’t change the result, with Manchester City leaving Old Trafford with all three points.

Michael Carrick calls explanation ‘worrying’

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick described the explanation and decision as “worrying” and “staggering”.

Martínez was equally unhappy, describing the decision to allow the goal as an “injustice”.

For City, the controversial winner secured a victory despite Phil Foden receiving a red card earlier in the match.

The result also maintained City’s perfect start to the Premier League season alongside Arsenal.

But the debate surrounding the Manchester derby is unlikely to disappear with the final whistle.

Haaland was onside. The issue was whether Fernández’s actions from an offside position affected Martínez’s ability to defend the move.

Pro Ref’s subsequent admission has now provided its answer: VAR should have given Oliver another look.

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