Gallagher admits Haaland's derby winner should have been disallowed as pundits demand referee punishments

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has admitted that Erling Haaland’s winning goal for Manchester City against Manchester United should have been disallowed, adding fresh scrutiny to a VAR decision that has dominated post-derby discussion. Haaland scored after 60 minutes and, despite an initial offside flag, VAR overturned the call following a lengthy review that centred on whether Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez had touched the ball.

Replays indicated that Haaland was behind the foot of Patrick Dorgu, which would have played him onside, but the more contentious issue was Fernandez’s presence in the build-up. VAR ruled that because Fernandez did not make contact with Josko Gvardiol’s cross, he was not interfering with play — a conclusion Gallagher firmly rejected.

“They focused on did Fernandez head the ball, did he touch the ball — then he would be interfering with play,” Gallagher said. “They’ve forgot about him going for the ball. Lammens goes to make the save. In my view and Pro Ref’s view, the more palatable decision is offside because he’s impacted two United players.”

Pundit Jay Bothroyd went further, describing the ruling as an inexcusable collective failure by the officials. “There’s no excuses, it’s the easiest decision all year,” he said. “Martinez is unable to see the ball because he’s behind Fernandez. Because Enzo is there, he’s affecting the goalkeeper, Martinez, and the fact that if he wasn’t there he could’ve gone to Haaland.”

Bothroyd also questioned the football knowledge of those operating VAR. “I don’t think enough of these people have played the game of football — if they had, they’d understand what’s causing a problem,” he said. “Players get mistakes and get reprimanded; there needs to be some kind of punishment for officials. Saying sorry isn’t good enough.”

Manchester United went on to lose the derby despite playing with a numerical advantage for more than an hour, a result that deepened frustration at Old Trafford. Head coach Michael Carrick and defender Lisandro Martinez both voiced their displeasure publicly after the final whistle, with Martinez stating he believed Haaland was offside.

The controversy reignites a long-running debate about accountability in VAR officiating, with calls growing louder for a formal review process that carries tangible consequences for significant errors.