Online Reporter
With City down to 10 men after Phil Foden’s dismissal for kicking Bruno Fernandes, Haaland netted on the hour mark with a close-range finish from Josko Gvardiol’s cross.
The goal was initially disallowed for offside against Haaland but VAR eventually overturned that decision, even though City midfielder Enzo Fernandez was in an offside position and attempted to reach the ball before the Norwegian forward.
Fernandez did not touch the ball so the goal was given, allowing Haaland to celebrate his ninth league strike in Manchester derbies.
Premier League Match Centre posted on social media after the goal to say the VAR “determined that Haaland was in an onside position” and “deemed that while in an offside position, Fernandez didn’t play the ball”.
However, Pro Ref later on Sunday came out to say that the VAR “did not recognise the likely impact” of the Argentine midfielder’s 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 judgment. A review of the incident will take place,” the statement added.
After the match, United manager Michael Carrick said it was “worrying” that a team of officials had come to the conclusion that Haaland’s goal should stand.
Lisandro Martinez was the United defender at the centre of the controversy.
The Argentine said he was clearly impacted by the presence of his international teammate Fernandez and branded the City goal an “injustice”.
“I went to him because he was in front of me. That’s why Haaland was free at the back,” Martinez told Sky Sports.
“Five or six people (officials) doing this kind of mistake in the Premier League is unacceptable.
“We have to go home with this injustice.”
Meanwhile, Enzo Maresca took on the seemingly impossible job of succeeding Pep Guardiola as Manchester City manager, but the Italian is off to the perfect start after his 10 men defied Manchester United for a famous 1-0 win at Old Trafford.
Maresca sprinted down the touchline to celebrate in front of the travelling City fans at full time on Sunday, fully aware of the significance of winning his first Manchester derby in dramatic circumstances.
Maresca explained how he won the tactical battle against United boss Michael Carrick, with the hosts’ attack blunted without space to counter-attack.
“I think the game with 10 players became more difficult for us, but also for them,” said Maresca.
“They are a team that love transition, they love space in behind. With 10 players we just dropped, waiting for them, so we didn’t concede any transition, we didn’t concede any space in behind.”
After a 3-0 thrashing by Arsenal in the Community Shield, many expected a season of struggle for City after Guardiola’s trophy-laden decade in charge.
Maresca’s men have responded with four consecutive wins to keep pace with the Gunners at the top of the Premier League and an impressive 2-0 victory in Porto to kick off their Champions League campaign.
The early evidence is that City’s recruitment has armed Maresca with the tools to ensure there is no major drop-off despite Guardiola’s exit.
United focused all their transfer business on strengthening the midfield, with a trio of new recruits in Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba. But they could not compete with the financial might of Abu Dhabi-backed City in the battle for Anderson.
“They are both top players,” added Maresca.
“I said already a few times that I don’t think it’s correct to judge players based on how much clubs pay for them because now the market is increasing.
“The good thing is that they are both very young so they are going to be important for the future of this club.” – SuperSport
