Manchester City’s derby victory now has a major VAR controversy attached to it.
PGMOL has admitted that an “error of judgement” occurred during the VAR review that allowed Erling Haaland’s goal to stand in Manchester City’s 1–0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The admission has reopened questions about how VAR decisions are reached—and whether the referee should have been sent to the monitor before the decisive goal was confirmed.
What Happened?
Haaland put City ahead in the 60th minute after connecting with a pass and firing a low shot past the United goalkeeper.
The assistant referee had initially flagged the striker for offside.
VAR overturned that decision, concluding that Haaland was actually in an onside position when the ball was played.
That appeared to settle the matter.
It didn’t.
The controversy focused on an earlier moment in the same attacking sequence involving Enzo Fernandez.
Why Did VAR Get Involved?
According to PGMOL’s post-match clarification, Fernandez did not actually make contact with the ball.
That detail became crucial.
Because Fernandez’s involvement had to be assessed without a clear touch, the question of whether his position affected the play became a subjective judgement rather than a straightforward offside calculation.
PGMOL said the VAR official failed to properly recognise the potential impact of Fernandez’s position.
As a result, the VAR should have recommended an on-field review to referee Michael Oliver.
That did not happen.
PGMOL later contacted Manchester United and acknowledged the mistake.
The refereeing organisation also confirmed that the incident would undergo further review.
City Won Despite Being Down to 10
The VAR controversy was only one part of an extraordinary Manchester derby.
City played for more than an hour with 10 men after Phil Foden was sent off in the 23rd minute.
That gave United a significant numerical advantage, but they could not turn their opportunities into a goal.
Marcus Rashford came closest before the interval, striking the post with a free-kick.
Kobbie Mainoo then hit the woodwork early in the second half as United continued to push.
City survived wave after wave of pressure before Haaland delivered the decisive blow.
United Had Chances to Rescue the Game
United kept searching for an equaliser late into the match.
Bryan Mbeumo appeared to have one of the final opportunities, but City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma produced a crucial save during stoppage time.
The result left City celebrating an unlikely derby victory despite spending most of the match with a player fewer.
But the scoreline is no longer the only talking point.
The VAR Decision Will Dominate the Fallout
Haaland’s finish ultimately separated the two teams.
PGMOL’s admission has changed the story.
The key issue is no longer simply whether Haaland was onside. It is whether the VAR process properly accounted for Fernandez’s involvement—and whether Oliver should have been given the opportunity to make the final judgement himself.
For United, that creates an obvious sense of frustration. They had the extra man, created several promising chances and still left Old Trafford empty-handed.
For City, the three points remain.
But the controversy surrounding the winning goal is likely to linger long after the final whistle.
One goal decided the derby. Now the VAR decision behind it could become the biggest story of all.
