Manchester City won a controversy-laden derby against Manchester United at Old Trafford thanks to Erling Haaland’s goal being allowed to stand amid questions of offside following a length VAR check, while Phil Foden was also sent off for kicking Bruno Fernandes in the stomach.
With 23 minutes on the clock, Foden and Man United skipper Fernandes tangled to leave the former on the floor, on top of the ball. The Portuguese then appeared to try and kick the ball but caught the England international in the back instead, prompting a moment of fury from Foden as he kicked out with both feet and contacted Fernandes in the stomach, causing referee Michael Oliver to dish out a straight red card.
Just after the hour mark, Haaland expertly finished Josko Gvardiol’s deflected cross at the back post, with the goal initially ruled out for offside. But, after a long VAR check, the goal was awarded, with Haaland narrowly onside thanks to Patrick Dorgu’s outstretched foot and the offside Enzo Fernandez not having touched the ball with his attempted diving header – and somehow being deemed not to be impacting play with his effort. City then held on for victory despite a late United onslaught
That was the in-game drama at Old Trafford but, before kick-off, United fans protested against the club’s ownership in response to the season ticketing “fiasco” that resulted in 685 ticket bans. Fans gathered near the Bishops Blaize pub near Old Trafford to protest both the Glazer family and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, with chants directed at both parties.
Relive all the drama below
Earlier: Man United fans protest against season ticket ‘fiasco’ ahead of derby
The club recently announced the season ticket bans after a length investigation into ticket touting, with the manner of the investigation criticised by fans. Another 464 supporters received a final warning or a reduced sanction, with a total of 1,617 accounts identified as requiring further investigation and action.
Ahead of the Premier League match against Manchester City, fans gathered by the Bishops Blaize pub near Old Trafford to protest both the Glazer family and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, with chants directed at both parties.
BREAKING: ‘Error of judgement’ to allow Erling Haaland’s Manchester derby winner
A Pro Ref spokesperson said: “Following the incident in the 60th minute of Sunday’s Premier League fixture between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford, we can provide clarification regarding Erling Haaland’s awarded goal.
“The on-field decision was offside against Erling Haaland – that was checked by VAR and he was found to be in an onside position.
“In the same attack, it was established that Enzo Fernandez did not play the ball and therefore that makes any offside offence subjective, however, on this occasion, the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of his 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 judgement. A review of the incident will take place.”
The hidden issue behind Manchester United’s poor start to the season
As the fans disappeared from Old Trafford, so did plenty of optimism for the upcoming season. With just four points from the opening four games, it’s beginning to look like the same old story once again for Manchester United.
The nature of a derby game means that sometimes a team can’t learn many lessons, whatever the result. Unfortunately for Michael Carrick, that was not the case today as his side delivered a dismal performance to lose 1-0 to 10-man Manchester City.
Much has been made of the defensive frailties in Michael Carrick’s side, and that was evident again as Haaland snuck in to steer his side into the lead on the hour mark. It was a poor goal to concede, but it threatens to mask the other glaring issue in this United side – an incoherent and under-performing attack.
Pundits blast ‘complacent’ United
“Man United were poor today and City had the extra man,” said Micah Richards.
“I thought Haaland reacted when he needed to. Guehi at the back was outstanding. Anderson could be more disciplined because they had a man less.”
Gary Neville added: “Carrick will be so disappointed with how his team adjusted after Foden got sent off, they just became complacent. Whereas City have played brilliantly.”
Roy Keane said: “I thought United must have thought lets go through the motions. Defensively City were outstanding. It’s a huge setback for United, its a huge lift for City but a big set back for United.”
REPORT: Why Michael Carrick can’t just blame VAR for Man Utd’s dismal derby failure
Manchester City have had some famous victories at Old Trafford in the last 15 years and if this scoreline was the least spectacular, the circumstances mean it may become among the most celebrated.
A man down for more than 70 minutes, stoppage time included, in their first derby since Pep Guardiola’s departure, shorn of a sent-off specialist in scoring against Manchester United, they instead conjured a victory built on brilliant defending, fashioned by big-money signings and sealed, with a certain inevitability, by Erling Haaland.
The Norwegian adopted his trademark meditative pose after his winner was contentiously awarded. He certainly gave United much to think about. This was a thoroughly chastening occasion for them. Gifted an advantage by Phil Foden, with a red card of senseless stupidity, they squandered it with their inability to break City down.
More pundit reaction to Haaland goal
At the time of the goal, Gary Neville said: “The officials will be nervous about this goal.
“When they look back on this, they will recognise they got this wrong.
“The question is does Fernandez, who is offside, stop Martinez getting the ball? He does.”
After the match, Micah Richards added: “They have got it so wrong. But don’t let that take away from City’s performance.”
Roy Keane meanwhile said that United were “punished for holding a good line”.
Anderson says win tastes sweeter in context of Foden red
“We always knew it was going to be a tough game,” Elliot Anderson told Sky Sports.
“What happened with Phil at the start wasn’t good for us, but we said at half-time it would make us feel better if we win and we’ve taken three points.
“It just gives you more motivation to go on and get the points. It was really tough for us. We had to run more and fight more. We all shone, to a man, and we were brilliant.”
Carrick reacts to ‘staggering’ offside decision
“I’m confused,” he told Sky Sports.
“We put things in place in the game now. We have people in offices with all the screens for this decision. It’s more worrying about if that’s the interpretation of football now. If that’s the interpretation of not interfering in the game now, that’s really worrying for me. It’s a staggering explanation.
“The decision isn’t going to change the season, but it’s had a major impact on the game. That decision wasn’t on us today. It’s up to us to create and score after that. We had moments. Of course it’s up to us to do that, but big moments in games like that have a big impact.
“We did a lot of things well, it looked like we were growing well into the game. We looked dangerous. We’ll take the positives from the game today and move on well, but we’re not moving on lightly.
“We could have created more. That’s an answer for us, but we could have. That’s our second defeat now, since I’ve been in charge, but we’re a good team and we’ll get back to wining ways.”
Haaland: I took it personally when the ref thought I was offside
Erling Haaland told Sky Sports: “I thought there was maybe someone who flicked it because I normally don’t go offside, so I told Michael Oliver I took it a bit personally that he thought I was offside!
“But I looked over to the gaffer and he gave me a thumbs up and I knew then it was a goal, so I prepared myself to go and celebrate.
“It’s always nice to win football games and I never take that for granted but, especially with 10 men at Old Trafford, it’s a difficult task. It’s so nice.”
Martinez: ‘I can’t understand the rules’
“I think [Fernandez] was offside,” Lisandro Martinez told Sky Sports. “What I can’t understand is the rules.
“He was there! I went to him because he was in front of me. That’s why Haaland was free at the back.
“I want to be calm but it is so hard. Every season the officials come to our club and spend an hour explaining the rules and they look so confident with that.
“Then after, five or six people (officials) doing this kind of mistake in the Premier League is unacceptable.
“We have to go home with this injustice.”
