VAR overrules flag to award Haaland goal as Neville struggles to explain offside call

Erling Haaland’s goal for 10-man Manchester City against Manchester United was allowed to stand after VAR overturned the assistant referee’s offside flag, sparking widespread confusion — including from former United captain Gary Neville in the commentary booth.

The linesman had initially flagged Haaland offside when Josko Gvardiol’s cross came into the box, only for VAR to intervene and instruct referee Michael Oliver to award the goal. Still images circulating during the review appeared to show Haaland behind the last defender, leaving Neville searching for an explanation.

“I’m going to need the offside law explaining to me, it’s lost me,” Neville said while the decision was under review. After the goal was confirmed, he added: “It’ll need an official to explain why it’s not offside — it’s to do with Enzo Fernandez’s shot. The shot comes in, he’s offside… I don’t know.”

Neville later confirmed that VAR’s rationale centred on Patrick Dorgu’s outstretched foot, which was deemed to have kept Haaland onside. “They say Haaland’s onside from Dorgu’s foot — from where we were it didn’t look the case, but Dorgu’s foot is deeper and Haaland is online,” he said.

A secondary controversy surrounded Enzo Fernandez, who also appeared to move early and attempted to play the cross himself. Neville suggested that intervention may have affected United’s defensive reaction. “The question is does Enzo Fernandez put off Lisandro Martinez? I think he does because he sort of hesitates. I do think when they look back, they’ll recognise they got it wrong.”

The goal arrived against the backdrop of an already turbulent match. City had been reduced to 10 men when Phil Foden was shown a straight red card for violent conduct after kicking out at United captain Bruno Fernandes, who had himself appeared to make contact with Foden while he was on the ground. Foden’s reaction, however, was the act that drew the dismissal.

Haaland’s goal gave City a 1-0 lead despite their numerical disadvantage, making the VAR call all the more significant to the outcome of the derby.