VAR Admits Error Over Erling Haaland’s Derby-Winning Goal at Old Trafford
Manchester City’s derby-winning goal at Old Trafford has been acknowledged as an officiating mistake after Erling Haaland’s 60th-minute finish was allowed to stand following a VAR intervention.
Key takeaways
- Haaland converted Josko Gvardiol’s delivery after the assistant referee had raised an offside flag.
- VAR reversed the original decision and awarded the goal despite Enzo Fernandez’s offside position.
- PGMOL later accepted that the incident should have been sent to the referee for an on-field review.
- Peter Schmeichel called for VAR to be removed, arguing it has damaged goal celebrations.
- Gary Neville said the decision left him unable to understand the current offside interpretation.
Officials concede review should have been recommended
The goal arrived midway through the second half when Haaland turned home from Gvardiol’s cross. It was initially ruled out for offside, only for the video officials to overturn that call.
The Premier League Match Centre had initially explained that Haaland was judged to be onside. It also said Fernandez, although standing in an offside position, had not played the ball.
However, the referees’ body subsequently contacted Manchester United to recognise an error in the assessment. Its later explanation accepted that VAR had failed to identify the probable effect of Fernandez’s positioning and should have advised the match referee to review the incident at the pitchside monitor.
The acknowledgement came on Sunday evening, within 24 hours of the final whistle, and followed widespread criticism of the decision from former United players and supporters.
Schmeichel and Neville question VAR’s effect on the game
Schmeichel, the former Manchester United goalkeeper, said the technology had placed officials too prominently at the centre of matches. Speaking during his Viaplay punditry work, he said he wanted VAR scrapped because it had become an intrusion rather than an improvement.
He argued that supporters and players are now unable to celebrate immediately when the ball reaches the net, with the delay created by offside checks draining the moment of its emotion. Schmeichel said celebrations after a later confirmation could not replicate the reaction to an instant goal.
Neville voiced similar confusion while working on Sky Sports commentary. The former United defender said he needed the offside law explained after seeing the goal allowed, and suggested the officials would eventually have to reverse their position.
The episode has renewed scrutiny of how offside interference is applied under VAR, particularly when decisions are examined through slow-motion replays and fine margins. For Schmeichel, the conclusion remained straightforward: the present system has not made football better.
