Erling Haaland Derby Winner Should Have Been Disallowed, Admits Referees’ Body

Last Updated:September 14, 2026, 12:10 IST

Manchester United have received a boost after Pro Ref conceded that Haaland’s decisive goal was wrongly awarded in City’s 1-0 derby victory at Old Trafford.

Erling Haaland celebrates after the English Premier League game against Manchester United (Picture credit: AP)

Referees’ body Pro Ref has admitted that Erling Haaland’s winner in the Manchester derby shouldn’t have been awarded, even as United suffered a 0-1 defeat at the hands of their arch-rivals City in the English Premier League on Sunday, September 13.

Pro Ref will review the decision and have contacted United.

Haaland’s 60th-minute goal for Manchester City at Old Trafford was ruled offside before VAR overturned the decision. Josko Gvardiol’s cross took a deflection off Patrick Dorgu’s boot, flew past Enzo Fernández and United defender Lisandro Martínez and fell to Haaland, who made no mistake.

VAR ruled that Fernández wasn’t interfering with play, despite Martínez marking the midfielder.

“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,” Pro Ref said in a statement.

“The on-field decision was offside against Haaland, which was checked by VAR and he was found to be in an onside position. In the same attack, it was established that Fernández didn’t play the ball and therefore that makes any offside offence subjective; however, on this occasion, the VAR didn’t recognise the likely impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review,” Pro Ref added.

The 199th Manchester derby produced another controversial moment when Phil Foden was shown a red card in the 23rd minute. He kicked Bruno Fernandes in the stomach, but only after the latter had kicked him first.

Maresca supported Michael Oliver’s decision to dismiss Foden but suggested Fernandes should also have been sent off.

“Phil Foden’s red card is a red card, but I also think it’s a red card from Bruno. Reviewing the action, it’s a clear red card for Phil because it’s a reaction, but you can also see Bruno’s [action],” Maresca said.

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Why did Pro Ref state that Erling Haaland’s Manchester derby goal should have been disallowed?

Pro Ref admitted the goal should have been disallowed because the VAR failed to recognize the likely impact of Enzo Fernández’s offside position. While Fernández did not play the ball, United defender Lisandro Martínez was marking him, making the offside offense subjective. Pro Ref stated that the VAR should have recommended an on-field review to assess this impact.

How did VAR initially justify awarding Erling Haaland’s goal in the Manchester derby?

Initially, VAR overturned the on-field offside call after determining that Haaland was in an onside position, kept onside by the outstretched foot of defender Patrick Dorgu. Additionally, VAR deemed that Enzo Fernández did not play the ball while in an offside position, leading them to rule that he was not interfering with play.

Who was sent off during the Manchester derby on September 13, 2026?

Manchester City’s Phil Foden was shown a red card in the 23rd minute of the match for kicking Bruno Fernandes in the stomach. The incident occurred after Fernandes had kicked Foden first, leading City manager Maresca to suggest that Fernandes should have also been sent off.

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