Martinez calls Haaland's derby winner an 'injustice' after VAR overturns offside flag

Lisandro Martinez accused officials of an “injustice” after a VAR review overturned an offside flag to award Erling Haaland’s winning goal for Manchester City against Manchester United in the Premier League derby.

Haaland’s opener had initially been ruled out by the assistant referee, but a lengthy VAR check determined that the Norwegian was in an onside position and that Enzo Fernandez — though standing offside — had not played the ball. The goal originated from a Josko Gvardiol shot that deflected off Patrick Dorgu before Haaland finished at the back post.

The Premier League Match Centre confirmed the decision on social media: “VAR checked the referee’s call of no goal for offside and determined that Haaland was in an onside position and recommended that the goal was awarded. The VAR also deemed that while in an offside position, Fernandez didn’t play the ball.”

Under the laws of the game, a player in an offside position is only penalised if they clearly attempt to play a nearby ball in a way that impacts an opponent, or make an obvious action that affects an opponent’s ability to play the ball. Martinez argued that Fernandez’s presence did exactly that.

“I think he was offside,” the Argentine centre-back said after the match. “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.”

Martinez also questioned the broader standard of officiating in the Premier League, pointing to the briefings clubs receive on the rules. “Every time they come to our club, they explain one hour, hour and a half with the rules, then after five or six people doing this kind of mistake in the PL — it’s unacceptable. You have the best players, best teams in the world and now we have to go home with this injustice.”

The defender added that he was caught in a split-second dilemma between two attackers. “I have two players there and I was 50/50, had to take the first guy in front. Simple as that. Let’s see what they have to say — I want to hear what their decision is based off.”

The result leaves United without a home win in the derby and deepens frustration at Old Trafford over high-profile VAR calls this season.