After Sunday’s Manchester Derby, the discussion strangely wasn’t about Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and his ninth Derby goal, just two short of Wayne Rooney, the top scorer. Now, the debate is about the validity of that sole goal under the VAR ruling, giving a 10-man City the lead. New information points to that decision being an error.

In the 60th minute at Old Trafford, Haaland turned home at the back post from Josko Gvardiol’s cross, but not before the latest $169 million signing, Enzo Fernandez, attempted to head it from an offside position. The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but that soon changed under a VAR ruling.

Sky Sports’ official Premier League account has now released an X post about a Pro Ref spokesperson admitting that this was an ‘error of judgement’.

During the VAR check on-field, the goal was awarded after officials decided Patrick Dorgu’s boot had kept Haaland onside. The bigger question was whether the offside Enzo Fernandez, who was diving toward the ball, had interfered with play. The Pro Ref spokesperson has now issued a lengthy explanation.

“On this occasion, the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of his [Enzo Fernandez] position and should have recommended an on-field review,” The statement read on X. “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.”

This is not the first time such a discussion has taken place over the validity of a goal in the Manchester derby. In 2023, Marcus Rashford played to receive the ball from Casemiro in an offside position, only to act as a decoy for Bruno Fernandes (who was onside) to step in and slot it in. The conversation back then was also about whether Rashford interfered in the play.

With that precedent in place, what went wrong this time? Henry Winter, the podcaster and soccer journalist, explained his view on X.

“…The official at Stockley Park should have seen “the likely impact” of Enzo’s action on the reactions of Lisandro Martinez and Senne Lammens,” the veteran journalist wrote. “Most other people could see “the likely impact” – immediately. (A subjective point but anyone who has followed Enzo’s career knows he makes these runs to impact games and occasionally score). The assistant flagged Erling Haaland, who wasn’t offside because of Patrick Dorgu’s boot. Technology picked that up. But the VAR, Matt Donohue, failed to act on Fernandez.” 

In simple terms, the goal could have been ruled out due to Fernandez’s offside position and his involvement in the play, rather than Haaland’s position.

As expected, the Manchester United camp was disappointed with the decision, while HC Michael Carrick used the word “confused.” But what did Erling Haaland make of the incident?

Erling Haaland addresses the VAR decision

After the game, Haaland shared what he thought when the goal came under scrutiny. 

“I think there was a flick, so I thought maybe there was someone that flicked it, because I normally don’t go on offside. So I told Michael Oliver [referee], I took it a bit personally, that he thought I was offside,” he said.

Enzo Fernandez’s thumbs-up then helped Haaland realize the goal would stand, and he started celebrating. The goal was even more important because Manchester City had 10 players on the field after losing Phil Foden to a red card earlier in the 23rd minute for ‘violent conduct’ on bruno Fernandes.

For Haaland, it was a big moment. But after the postgame review and Pro Ref’s admission, the goal remains at the center of the debate.