Manchester derby VAR error after Pro Ref apology

Earlier this week we reported on the anger around Manchester United's derby day, and the story has now shifted to the officials. Pro Ref has admitted an error of judgement over the VAR call that let Erling Haaland's 60th-minute goal stand in Manchester United vs Manchester City, a goal that decided Manchester City's 1-0 win at Old Trafford.

The VAR call at Old Trafford

The refereeing body said the on-field decision was offside against Haaland, but VAR checked it and found him to be in an onside position. Its own explanation went further on the key point in the move: "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 also said: "Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement."

That leaves the debate in a fairly narrow place. The original check did not end with an automatic disallowed goal, but the refereeing body now accepts the decision should have gone to the monitor. The incident will also be reviewed.

Haaland's goal and Foden's red card

The broader derby was shaped early by Phil Foden's 23rd-minute sending-off for violent conduct. City were down to 10 men for most of the match, yet Haaland still had the decisive moment when his finish stood in the 60th minute.

The ratings from the game fit the same picture. Haaland's 7.73 was the highest attacking mark on the night, while Foden's 5.99 reflected how quickly the contest swung after the red card. Patrick Dorgu's 7.12 also matters in the VAR explanation because of the offside geometry around the move, and Lisandro Martinez's 7 was consistent with his immediate reaction, calling the decision an injustice.

Pro Ref's apology does not change the result, but it does change the record of how the goal was handled. City still left Old Trafford with the points, and the refereeing body now says the key review step should have happened before Haaland's winner was allowed to stand.