Pro Ref admits 'error of judgement' as Haaland goal seals 10-man City win over United

Erling Haaland’s bundled second-half finish gave ten-man Manchester City a 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, but the decisive goal has since been clouded by an official admission of error from refereeing body Pro Ref.

Haaland converted at the back post in the 59th minute, getting on the end of Josko Gvardiol’s deflected cross. The linesman initially flagged for offside, only for VAR to overrule the call on the basis that Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez — positioned in an offside position — had not touched the ball and had not interfered with United defender Lisandro Martinez. The goal stood.

Pro Ref subsequently reversed their position, stating there had been an ‘error of judgement’ and that the original on-field offside decision should have been upheld, now arguing that Fernandez did interfere with Martinez.

Former Wolves and Middlesbrough manager Rob Edwards said the sequence of events left him sympathising with United head coach Michael Carrick. “Yeah, I feel sick for him as well,” Edwards said. “It’s a huge game for both clubs. But to lose it in that manner, with that kind of goal, it will hurt. It will really hurt. And I know when he comes out, he doesn’t let his emotions [take over] — you could see that he was frustrated, but he was also calm. But inside, he’ll be raging with that. You can’t make those mistakes. It doesn’t matter that it’s the Manchester derby in the Premier League. You can’t make those mistakes. It doesn’t matter who it is.”

City had been reduced to ten men as early as the 23rd minute when Phil Foden was shown a straight red card by referee Michael Oliver. Foden had been fouled by United captain Bruno Fernandes near the touchline and, after Fernandes appeared to kick out at him first, Foden responded by catching the Portuguese midfielder with both feet into the lower abdomen. Oliver showed no hesitation in producing the red card; Fernandes was not punished for his initial involvement.

The defeat leaves United with just four points from their opening four Premier League matches, sitting 13th in the table after losses to Hull City and City, a draw at Everton, and a win against Ipswich. The pressure on Carrick is growing early in the campaign, with a home fixture against Brighton next on the schedule.