Pro Ref admitted Erling Haaland’s winner in Sunday’s Manchester derby should not have been allowed after the video assistant referee ruled Enzo Fernández was not interfering with play in the build-up. The elite officiating body will review the decision and has contacted Manchester United. Haaland’s 60th minute goal for Manchester City at Old Trafford was initially ruled offside before the VAR’s intervention.
It came after Josko Gvardiol’s cross hit Patrick Dorgu’s boot, passed Fernández and the United defender Lisandro Martínez, and was finished by the City No 9. VAR decided Fernández was not interfering despite Martínez marking the midfielder. A Pro Ref statement said: “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.
A review of the incident will take place.” After the match but before the Pro Ref statement, an unhappy Michael Carrick expressed concern over Haaland’s winner. But the explanation I got was he wasn’t interfering with play, so I just don’t get it,” the United manager said. Yeah, I can’t wait for that one,” he said.
I think we all understand what that rule means [regarding interfering with play], and it’s pretty obvious. It’s as obvious as it gets.” Enzo Maresca, though, was adamant that Fernández was not interfering. The 199th Manchester derby’s other controversial decision was Phil Foden’s 23rd-minute red card.
The forward kicked Bruno Fernandes in the stomach, but only after United’s captain had kicked him. Maresca backed Michael Oliver’s red card but suggested the referee should also have sent off Fernandes. We’ve got to accept that and take that.
It doesn’t change us moving forward and our hopes for the season and what we can achieve as a team. We’ve made really good strides over a period of time and we will continue to do that.” Carrick was asked about the pre-game protest against the club’s move to eradicate ticket touts that some believe to be draconian. United said on Friday that 685 accounts had been subject to a ban and 464 supporters had received a reduced sanction or final warning.
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