Rooney demands VAR scrapped after Pro Ref apology over Haaland's offside goal

Wayne Rooney has demanded the abolition of VAR in the Premier League after officiating body Pro Ref issued a formal apology to Manchester United, admitting that Erling Haaland’s winning goal in City’s 1-0 victory at Old Trafford on Sunday should have been ruled out.

Haaland’s second-half strike was initially flagged offside by the linesman before VAR intervened and recommended the goal stand. However, replays showed Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez — on loan at City — was in an offside position and had moved to attempt a header, with United defender Lisandro Martinez visibly affected by that movement. Pro Ref subsequently acknowledged the mistake, stating that the VAR “did not recognise the likely impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review,” adding that contact had been made with Manchester United “to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement.”

Rooney, speaking in his capacity as a pundit, was scathing in his assessment of both the decision and the technology behind it. “Surely it’s offside,” he said. “Martinez is impacted by Enzo’s movement, and he is offside.” After Pro Ref’s apology was published, his frustration only deepened. “I’m just so sick of VAR. I think it’s horrendous. It takes all of the emotion out of the game and the energy that the game is played with. To not see that and to not recognise that Enzo Fernandez is in an offside position, anyone who has played the game at any level understands that and knows he’s in an offside position. To get it so wrong, it’s just baffling.”

The Haaland controversy was not the only flashpoint at Old Trafford. City forward Phil Foden was sent off for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes, a decision City manager Enzo Maresca accepted as correct — though Maresca also argued that Fernandes should have received a red card of his own for his role in the altercation.

Pro Ref confirmed a full review of the Haaland incident will take place, but the apology does nothing to alter the result, leaving United pointless from a fixture that now carries the additional sting of a refereeing admission. The controversy is certain to reignite the broader debate over VAR’s future in English football.