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Referees’ bosses last night admitted it was a mistake not to rule out Erling Haaland’s controversial winning goal in the Old Trafford derby.
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick was furious after Haaland’s strike gave City’s 10 men a 1-0 win, and defender Lisandro Martinez branded the decision an ‘injustice’.
VAR official Matt Donohue incorrectly allowed the goal to stand even though Enzo Fernandez was offside when he challenged Martinez for the ball in front of goal, on the basis that City’s new £125million signing did not touch it.
However, the rules state that a player in an offside position will be penalised if they impact an opponent by attempting to play the ball.
A statement from Pro Ref confirmed: '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.
'The on-field decision was offside against Erling Haaland – that was checked by VAR and he was found to be in an onside position.
Pro Ref have apologised to Manchester United after Erling Haaland's controversial goal in the Manchester derby was allowed to stand
Haaland's goal was given after a VAR review, with it having originally been ruled offside
However, Enzo Fernandez was in an offside position and attempted to go for the ball
'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.
'Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement. A review of the incident will take place.'
While Haaland celebrated a record ninth Premier League goal in the Manchester derby, Martinez was fuming.
'It's the best league in the world, you have the best teams in the world, the best players in the world, and now we have to go home with this injustice,' he said.
'I think it was offside. What I can't understand is the rules. He (Fernandez) was there, in front of me, and I went to him. So that's why Haaland was free at the back.
'It's so hard because you lose a derby and you lose three points at home. Every season they're coming to our club and explaining the rules for an hour-and-a-half. They look so confident, and then after that five or six people are making these kind of mistakes. It's unacceptable.'
United head coach Michael Carrick was just as upset as Martinez, saying: 'I really don't get it.
'I can't understand how they're trying to help referees by putting so many layers behind them – with so many people, so many bodies, so many screens – and you're not interfering with play because you've thrown yourself at the ball six yards from goal and nearly touched it.
'It's worrying if that's really how the game's seen by those who are officiating it.'
When it was mentioned to Carrick that Pro Ref have issued apologies in the past, he replied sarcastically: 'That would be great, I can't wait for that one! It's best left, I think. I don't really know how you go and get another explanation on that one.'
A furious Lisandro Martinez claimed that United were the victims of an 'injustice'
At the time of the incident, Gary Neville had been left confused on Sky Sports' commentary and criticised the decision, insisting the officials had got things wrong.
He said: 'I will need the offside explained to me. The officials will be nervous about this goal.
'When they look back on this, they will recognise they got this wrong. The question is does Fernandez, who is offside, stop Martinez getting the ball? He does.'
When reminded that the rules state a player can still be offside even if they don't touch the ball, Neville replied: 'They're the words that I think – emphatically – mean we will see an apology from Pro Ref.
'There is no doubt that Enzo is attempting to play the ball and putting Lisandro Martinez off.
'It's a really strange one. They'll recognise they got that wrong.'
Before Pro Ref's apology, the Premier League Match Centre had attempted to explain the reasoning for the goal being awarded.
On their X account, they wrote: 'VAR checked the referee’s call of no goal for offside – and determined that Haaland was in an onside position and recommended that the goal was awarded.
'The VAR also deemed that while in an offside position, Fernandez didn’t play the ball.'
Meanwhile, Foden was shown a straight red card by referee Michael Oliver when he retaliated to Fernandes kicking him in the back while he was on the ground by lashing out at the United captain.
City boss Enzo Maresca said: 'Phil Foden's red card is red card, but I also think it's a red card for Bruno. To win a game with 10 players is special, but it is even more special when it is Manchester derby.'
