10-man City stun United at Old Trafford as Haaland's VAR-cleared goal seals derby

Erling Haaland’s VAR-cleared goal gave 10-man Manchester City a 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford, with the Norwegian striker admitting he took the initial offside flag as a personal affront.

City had been reduced to 10 men in the first half when Phil Foden received a red card for lashing out at Bruno Fernandes. Despite the numerical disadvantage, it was City who broke the deadlock on the hour mark when Haaland steered in Josko Gvardiol’s deflected cross. The assistant referee raised his flag immediately, but VAR officials at Stockley Park overturned the decision after a lengthy review, determining that Haaland was level with the ball at the moment Gvardiol crossed. A second offside query — concerning Enzo Fernandez, who was in an offside position in the build-up — was also dismissed because Fernandez did not touch the ball.

“I thought maybe someone flicked it,” Haaland said after the final whistle. “When I found out no one flicked it, I took it personally that they thought I was offside because I’m never usually offside.”

The striker was equally effusive about the broader significance of the result. “It’s always nice to win football games, but especially with 10 men for 60 minutes at Old Trafford, it’s such a nice feeling, especially with the fans at the end. To look at all the faces of the supporters at the end is just a great feeling.”

City were indebted to goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in stoppage time, when he produced a superb save to deny Bryan Mbeumo and preserve the clean sheet. Replays suggested Mbeumo may have been offside, though that did little to diminish the quality of the stop.

Haaland reserved particular praise for his goalkeeper. “What a save from Gianluigi Donnarumma at the end as well. He’s like a wolf in the goal — he looks like a wolf anyway. He’s a mad man and to have a guy like that in the goal behind you just makes you feel so much more safe.”