Pro Ref, the organisation in charge of professional refereeing, has acknowledged that awarding Erling Haaland’s goal in Sunday’s Manchester derby was an “error of judgement”.
Haaland netted the decisive goal for Manchester City as they secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
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However, the goal that settled the contest was surrounded by controversy. Haaland was initially flagged offside after turning in Josko Gvardiol’s deflected cross.
Following a lengthy VAR check, the offside call against Haaland was correctly overturned, with Patrick Dorgu keeping the City striker onside. However, attention then turned to Enzo Fernandez’s role in the move.
Fernandez was in an offside position when he tried to get to the ball before it reached Haaland. VAR concluded that although the Argentine was offside, he had not actually played the ball, allowing the goal to stand.
La Premier League emitió un comunicado disculpándose con el Manchester United, por el error grave del árbitro y el VAR, en el gol del Manchester City que era fuera de lugar. “Fue un error de juicio”
60’ gol de Haaland para el 1-0 pero Enzo Fernández, que estaba adelantado, va a… pic.twitter.com/hSQWspZlwk— Cesar Augusto Londoño (@cesaralo) September 14, 2026
The decision prompted widespread criticism from supporters and pundits, many of whom felt Fernandez had interfered with the play by moving towards the ball. He also obstructed Lisandro Martinez’s route, with the United defender later describing the decision as an “injustice”.
Pro Ref has now conceded that the decision to allow Haaland’s goal to stand was incorrect.
A statement read: “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.
“The on-field decision was offside against Erling Haaland – that was checked by VAR and he was found to be in an onside position.
“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.
“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.”
VAR reviewed the referee’s original offside decision and concluded that Haaland was in a legal position, subsequently recommending that the goal be given.
The video officials also determined that Fernandez had not touched the ball despite being in an offside position.
After the match at Old Trafford, Michael Carrick expressed his disbelief during his post-match interview, admitting that he was “staggered” by the explanation behind Haaland’s second-half goal.
“If that’s the interpretation of not interfering in the game now, that’s really worrying for me. It’s a staggering explanation,” he began.
“I just don’t get it. I really don’t get it. I can’t understand how they’re trying to help referees and putting so many layers behind them with so many people, so many bodies, so many screens, and so many whatever offices they are to try and come up with the right decisions.
“If that’s how the rules are interpreted, that you’re not interfering with play because you’ve thrown yourself at the ball six yards from goal and pretty much nearly touched it, which then Leif has to react from.”
Carrick added: “On top of that, the line was a bit dubious where they drew the line to start with. It’s worrying if that’s really how the game’s seen by those who are officiating it.”
