Premier League refereeing body Pro Ref has admitted that an “error of judgement” was made in allowing Erling Haaland’s winning goal to stand during Manchester City’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday in the Manchester derby.
Haaland scored the only goal of the match in the 60th minute to give City a crucial victory in the fourth matchday of the 2026/27 Premier League season, despite Enzo Maresca’s side playing with 10 men for more than an hour.
The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but the decision was overturned following a lengthy VAR review. Haaland was subsequently deemed to have been in an onside position, with United defender Patrick Dorgu playing him onside.
However, the incident remained controversial because City midfielder Enzo Fernandez was in an offside position and attempted to play the ball during the build-up. Although Fernandez did not make contact with the ball, his involvement became the central issue surrounding the decision.
Pro Ref has now acknowledged that VAR should have taken Fernandez’s position and attempted involvement into greater consideration before overturning the original decision. “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 in a statement. “The on-field decision was offside against Erling Haaland – that was checked by VAR and he was found to be in an onside position.”
The refereeing body explained that the more complicated aspect of the decision involved Fernandez, whose position created a subjective question over whether he interfered with play.
“In the same attack, it was established that Enzo Fernandez did not play the ball and therefore that makes any offside offence subjective, however, on this occasion, the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review.”
Pro Ref
Pro Ref Contacts Manchester United Over Controversial Decision
Pro Ref confirmed that it had subsequently contacted Manchester United directly to acknowledge the mistake, although the admission does not alter the result or the three points awarded to City. “Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement. A review of the incident will take place,” the statement added.
The controversy overshadowed an extraordinary performance from City, who spent most of the game with 10 players after Phil Foden was sent off in the 23rd minute for violent conduct against United captain Bruno Fernandes.
Foden reacted after Fernandes had made contact with him while he was on the ground, with referee Michael Oliver showing the City midfielder a straight red card. United were therefore given more than an hour to exploit their numerical advantage, but they struggled to make it count.
Marcus Rashford struck the post from a free-kick before Kobbie Mainoo also hit the woodwork after the interval. City, however, remained organised and eventually produced the decisive moment through Haaland.
The Norwegian finished at the back post from Josko Gvardiol’s deflected cross, registering his ninth Premier League goal against United in just eight appearances in the fixture. The goal also moved him clear as the leading scorer in Premier League Manchester derby history.
The result marked City’s fourth consecutive Premier League victory to start the season, leaving them on 12 points from a possible 12. They have established themselves among the early title contenders under new manager Enzo Maresca.
For United, however, the defeat compounds a disappointing opening to Michael Carrick’s first full season in charge. The Red Devils remain on four points after four matches, having recorded just one victory so far.
Sunday’s meeting was the 199th competitive Manchester derby, adding another significant chapter to one of English football’s most enduring rivalries. The fixture has produced several iconic moments, including United’s 5-0 victory in 1994, Wayne Rooney’s famous overhead kick in 2011 and City’s 6-3 victory in 2022.
The recent rivalry has also swung between the two sides. City won 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium in September 2025, while United responded with a 2-0 victory at Old Trafford in January 2026. City’s latest triumph therefore restores bragging rights while extending their perfect start to the new campaign.
Yet the lasting talking point from Sunday’s derby is unlikely to be City’s resilience alone. Pro Ref’s admission has placed the spotlight firmly on VAR and the subjective interpretation of offside interference, with the refereeing body itself acknowledging that the technology should have prompted the referee to take another look.
For United, that admission offers little consolation. The points remain with City, while the debate over whether Haaland’s goal should ever have stood is likely to continue long after the derby itself.
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