Erling Haaland Goal Upheld by VAR in Manchester Derby Victory
Erling Haaland scored a controversial second-half winner on September 13, 2026, as Manchester City defeated Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford. The decisive strike arrived on the hour-mark during a fixture where the visitors played with ten men following Phil Foden’s first-half red card.
Manchester Derby VAR Controversy Over Enzo Fernandez Offside Position
VAR Matt Donohue upheld the goal after a lengthy review, determining that Haaland was kept onside by Patrick Dorgu and that Enzo Fernandez did not actively interfere with play from an offside position. The decision immediately drew fierce protests regarding the subjective interpretation of offside interference under Premier League guidelines.
Enzo Fernandez
playerThe result lifts Haaland’s tally to nine league goals against Manchester United, establishing the striker as the top scorer in Manchester derbies during the Premier League era.
“I’m confused. We put things in place in the game now. We have people in offices with all the screens for this decision. It’s more worrying about if that’s the interpretation of football now. If that’s the interpretation of not interfering in the game now, that’s really worrying for me. It’s a staggering explanation.”
“They’re the words that I think, emphatically, means we will see an apology from Pro Ref. There is no doubt that Enzo is attempting to play the ball and putting Lisandro Martinez off. It’s a really strange one. They’ll recognise they got that wrong.”
Reporting by Jamie Braidwood.
