Pro Ref has admitted that VAR made an error of judgement when Erling Haaland’s winning goal was allowed to stand in Manchester City’s 1-0 derby victory over Manchester United.

Pro Ref admits major VAR error over Haaland’s Manchester derby winner

Manchester United have been contacted by Pro Ref after the refereeing body admitted VAR made an “error of judgement” over Erling Haaland’s controversial winner in the Manchester derby.

Haaland scored the only goal as 10-man Manchester City won 1-0 at Old Trafford.

But Pro Ref has now admitted that VAR should have handled the decisive incident differently.

Haaland’s goal causes controversy

The key moment came in the 60th minute when Josko Gvardiol played the ball into the United penalty area.

Haaland finished the move, but the assistant referee initially raised the flag for offside.

VAR checked the incident and found that Patrick Dorgu had played Haaland onside, so the goal was awarded.

However, another Manchester City player was at the centre of the real controversy.

Enzo Fernández was offside

Enzo Fernández was in an offside position when the pass was played.

He moved towards the ball and tried to make contact while Lisandro Martínez was defending nearby.

Fernández did not touch the ball, and VAR decided that he had not interfered with play.

That decision allowed Haaland’s goal to stand.

Pro Ref now believes VAR got that judgement wrong.

Pro Ref admits VAR made an error

After the match, Pro Ref explained that VAR failed to properly consider the effect Fernández had on Martínez.

The refereeing body said VAR “did not recognise the likely impact of his position.”

It also said referee Michael Oliver should have been sent to the pitchside monitor.

VAR should have recommended an on-field review.

That never happened, and the goal eventually decided the derby.

Man Utd contacted after the match

Pro Ref later confirmed that it had contacted Manchester United.

The organisation acknowledged what it described as an “error of judgement.”

Some reports have described this as an apology.

However, Pro Ref’s official statement did not directly use the words “sorry” or “apology.”

The most accurate description is that Pro Ref contacted United and officially admitted the mistake.

Why Fernández did not need to touch the ball

The incident shows an important part of the offside law.

A player does not always have to touch the ball to be punished for offside.

If an offside player clearly affects an opponent’s ability to play the ball, he can still be judged to have interfered with play.

That is the key issue here.

Fernández did not touch the pass, but his movement may have affected Martínez’s defensive reaction.

Carrick had already criticised the decision

Michael Carrick was furious with the decision immediately after the match.

The United boss argued that Martínez clearly had to react to Fernández because the City midfielder was moving towards the ball inside the box.

Carrick said the decision was worrying and made it clear that he could not understand why VAR allowed the goal.

Only hours later, Pro Ref admitted that the incident should have been reviewed differently.

Martínez calls it an injustice

Lisandro Martínez was also angry after the final whistle.

The Argentina defender reportedly described the decision as an “injustice.”

His frustration was understandable because Haaland’s goal was not just one of several City goals.

It was the only goal of the match.

The result will not change

Despite Pro Ref admitting the error, the final result remains unchanged.

Manchester City keep their 1-0 victory and all three Premier League points.

That is likely to make the situation even more frustrating for United.

The mistake has been acknowledged, but the result cannot be changed.

Pro Ref will review the incident

Pro Ref has confirmed that the incident will now be reviewed.

The process that led to VAR not recommending an on-field review will be examined.

At this stage, there has been no official confirmation of any suspension or punishment for the officials involved.

A painful admission for Man Utd

For United, the admission has come too late to help them.

But it confirms that Carrick and his players had a valid reason to question the decision.

VAR should have sent Michael Oliver to the monitor to review Fernández’s possible interference.

Instead, Haaland’s goal stood.

Manchester City won 1-0.

And although Pro Ref has now admitted the mistake, Manchester United will not get the points back.