The arbitration body ProRef has been contacted Manchester United to acknowledge an error in awarding Erling Haaland’s goal that doomed them to defeat in the derby.
Manchester City secured all three points at Old Trafford despite seeing Phil Foden sent off for kicking Bruno Fernandes in the stomach in the 23rd minute.
The crucial moment came on the hour when Haaland headed the ball into the top-left corner from Josko Gvardiol’s left-footed cross.
Haaland was initially flagged for offside but, after a lengthy VAR check, the goal was controversially awarded.
Patrick Dorgu ruled that City’s Norwegian talisman had been called on, but the most controversial aspect of the decision was the involvement of Enzo Fernandez.
Fernández was in an offside position when the cross was played and tried to get his head on the ball. However, since he did not, Fernández was deemed not to be interfering with play.
ProRef acknowledges Haaland’s goal error
Fernández’s presence caught the eye of Lisandro Martínez and, as such, leaving Haaland unmarked appeared to be a dubious interpretation of the rules, which left United boss Michael Carrick “confused”.
And in a statement released Sunday afternoona ProRef spokesman acknowledged an error on the part of officials.
It read: “Following the incident in the 60th minute of Sunday’s Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford, we can provide a clarification regarding the goal conceded to Erling Haaland.
“The decision on the field was offside against Erling Haaland, who was checked by VAR and found to be in a playing position.
“In the same attack, Enzo Fernández was adjudged not to have played the ball and so this makes any offside offense subjective, but on this occasion the VAR failed to recognize the likely impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review.
“Manchester United have been contacted this evening to acknowledge what we believe was an error of judgement. A review of the incident will take place.”
How did the managers react?
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Carrick said of the decision: “I’m confused. Now we put things in place in the game. We have people in the offices with all the screens for this decision.
“It’s more concerning if that’s the interpretation of football now. If that’s the interpretation of not interfering in the game now, that’s really concerning to me. It’s an amazing explanation.”
“The decision won’t change the season, but it had a big impact on the game. That decision didn’t affect us today. It’s up to us to create and score after that. We had moments. Of course it’s up to us to do that, but big moments in games like this have a big impact.”
His City counterpart Enzo Maresca unsurprisingly took a different view.
“It was completely clear that the goal was not offside,” Maresca told Sky Sports. “The moment the fourth official told me, I celebrated early, because I knew.”
