**Title: VAR Error Acknowledged in Manchester Derby Controversy**
**Date: September 13, 2026**
In a contentious encounter at Old Trafford on September 13, 2026, Manchester City secured a 1-0 victory over Manchester United, but the match has since been overshadowed by a controversial decision regarding a goal scored by Erling Haaland. The Professional Game Referees (Pro Ref) admitted on Sunday that the decision to award the goal was an “error of judgment,” raising questions about the effectiveness of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system.
The match took a dramatic turn when Manchester City found themselves down to ten men after Phil Foden received a red card for a foul on United's Bruno Fernandes. Despite the numerical disadvantage, City managed to take the lead in the 60th minute when Haaland finished from close range, converting a cross from Josko Gvardiol.
Initially, the goal was ruled out for offside against Haaland. However, after a review by VAR, the decision was overturned. The VAR officials determined that while City midfielder Enzo Fernandez was in an offside position and appeared to interfere with play, he did not make contact with the ball. Consequently, the goal stood, marking Haaland's ninth goal in Manchester derby matches.
Following the match, the Premier League Match Centre announced via social media that the VAR had concluded Haaland was onside and that Fernandez's actions did not warrant the goal being disallowed. However, Pro Ref later issued a statement acknowledging that the VAR team failed to recognize the potential impact of Fernandez's positioning on the play. They stated, “The VAR should have recommended an on-field review,” and confirmed that they had reached out to Manchester United to acknowledge the mistake.
United's manager, Michael Carrick, expressed his concerns about the officiating, labeling the decision as “worrying.” He questioned how a team of officials could arrive at such a conclusion regarding the goal. Lisandro Martinez, the United defender involved in the incident, echoed Carrick's sentiments, stating that he was clearly affected by Fernandez's presence, which allowed Haaland to be unmarked. Martinez described the situation as an “injustice,” emphasizing the frustration felt by the United squad.
The incident has reignited debates about the reliability of VAR in the Premier League, with fans and pundits alike questioning the consistency and accuracy of officiating in high-stakes matches. As the league continues to navigate the complexities of technology in officiating, this latest controversy serves as a reminder of the challenges that remain in ensuring fair play.
In light of the admission from Pro Ref, a review of the incident is expected to take place, which may lead to further discussions on how VAR protocols can be improved to prevent similar errors in the future. The outcome of this review could have implications not only for Manchester United but also for the broader application of VAR in English football.
As the dust settles on this latest derby, the focus will shift to how both teams will respond in their upcoming fixtures, with Manchester City looking to build on their victory and Manchester United seeking to bounce back from the disappointment of a controversial defeat.