Michael Carrick blasts VAR call after Manchester derby defeat

Earlier this week we reported on Manchester United's derby warm-up. The story on Sunday night was the finish, and Michael Carrick spent most of his post-match comments on the call that let Erling Haaland's winner stand in Manchester City's 1-0 win over Manchester United.

Carrick said the explanation from the officials made the situation worse. "It's a staggering decision. I can't understand it once I seen it then the explanation almost makes it worse. Well, the explanation that he's not interfering with play. Incredible."

The offside ruling on Haaland's goal

The goal survived a lengthy VAR review after Patrick Dorgu was ruled to have played Haaland onside. That call sat at the centre of Carrick's anger, and he also argued the attacker was affecting the play.

"If we've got people in place that are meant to understand the game of football or not interfering with play or impacting an attack, throwing your body at it with a defender next to him, it's really worrying for me, if that's how it's interpreted."

The other detail that sharpened the anger was the timing of the match itself. Phil Foden was sent off in the 23rd minute for violent conduct, yet United still left empty-handed after Haaland's goal stood.

The wider mood around United

Carrick also tried to separate the decision from the bigger season picture. "It's not going to change a season, it's a major impact on the game and it's a massive game. It's a long season ahead, we've got to get back to winning football matches, that's on us, that (decision) wasn't on us today."

That line does not take away the irritation, but it does place the defeat inside a rough start. United were 13th in the Premier League after the derby, had lost four games under Carrick, and the sack-race talk has already started, with his odds cut to 11/2.

Haaland has also begun the season in strong scoring form, with 3 Premier League goals from 3 appearances. Manchester United now have to carry the derby grievance into their next league match, while Manchester City keep the points and the goal that settled it.