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Goal that led to Man Utd's derby defeat by City was VAR 'error', referees admit

Pro Ref said VAR should have sent the Haaland decision to review after missing Fernandez’s likely impact, and it will review the incident.

  • On Sunday, refereeing body Pro Ref admitted an "error of judgment" after Erling Haaland's winning goal secured Manchester City a 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
  • The controversy centered on Manchester City midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who was in an offside position during the 60th-minute goal; VAR failed to recognize his interference with United defender Lisandro Martinez.
  • Manchester United manager Michael Carrick called the decision "worrying," saying he could not understand how officials reached it; Lisandro Martinez branded the goal an "injustice."
  • Pro Ref contacted Manchester United to acknowledge the error and confirmed a formal review of the incident will take place.
  • City's victory extended their record to 10 wins at Old Trafford, while United sits 13th in the standings after the defeat despite playing with a numerical advantage following Phil Foden's 23rd-minute red card.
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271 Articles

ProtothemaProtothema
Right

What the Referee and VAR Said Before Counting Haaland's Goal Against United: Why They Awarded the Norwegian's Goal

The audio "burns" the VAR on Haaland's goal and England continues to talk about the goal that decided the Manchester derby

·Marousi, Greece
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Arab NewsArab News
Lean Right

Referees chief Webb ‘really disappointed’ over VAR error in Manchester derby

Howard Webb, the referees’ chief, has expressed his disappointment over a VAR decision that reversed an offside call, allowing Erling Haaland’s goal in the Manchester derby.

·Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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wz.dewz.de
+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Center

Arbitrator Chief Admits VAR Errors in Manchester Derby

Man City's Derby victory at Man United is for discussion. Erling Haaland's victory goal should not have counted. referee boss Howard Webb admits mistakes in the VAR exam.

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volksfreund.devolksfreund.de
Reposted by
saarbruecker-zeitung.desaarbruecker-zeitung.de
Center

Overlooked: Arbitrator Chief Admits VAR Errors in Manchester Derby

Man City's Derby victory at Man United is for discussion. Erling Haaland's victory goal should not have counted. referee boss Howard Webb admits mistakes in the VAR exam.

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BBC NewsBBC News
Center

Manchester derby VAR error: Howard Webb really disappointed with missed offside

Referees' chief Howard Webb admits that the video assistant referee failed to assess the offside offence by Enzo Fernandez for the winning goal in Sunday's Manchester derby.

·London, United Kingdom
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The AgeThe Age
Lean Left

'A blatant failure of VAR'

Craig Foster and Tommy Oar unpack Erling Haaland's controversial goal that was awarded by VAR.

·Melbourne, Australia
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Daily Express broke the news in London, United Kingdom on Saturday, September 12, 2026.
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