Manchester United drops points after controversial VAR decision hands derby to Manchester City

Manchester United played 70 minutes with a man advantage in the Manchester derby. They hit the woodwork twice. They still lost 1-0. And the goal that beat them probably shouldn’t have counted.

Erling Haaland’s 60th-minute strike gave Manchester City all three points at Old Trafford on September 13, but the goal only stood after a lengthy VAR review overturned an initial offside flag. By that evening, Pro Ref, the body overseeing Premier League officiating, had already admitted the call was an “error of judgement” and issued a formal apology to Manchester United. Cold comfort for a club now sitting on four points and 13th place after four matches.

What actually happened

Phil Foden was sent off in the 23rd minute after receiving a straight red card for violent conduct, reducing City to ten men for the remaining 67 minutes of play.

Then came the moment that will define this fixture in the history books. Haaland appeared to be flagged offside on a goal in the 60th minute. The linesman’s flag went up. But VAR intervened. After a review, officials determined that City teammate Enzo Fernández’s positioning and actions had interfered with United defender Lisandro Martínez. The offside call was overturned. Haaland’s goal stood.

Pro Ref’s admission of an “error of judgement” came the same evening. The result stands. Manchester City take three points from a match in which they played with ten men for over two-thirds of the game. Manchester United take zero points from a match in which they had every structural advantage imaginable and still couldn’t convert.

United manager Michael Carrick addressed the decision post-match, and players were openly critical of the officiating. City manager Enzo Maresca also commented after the final whistle.

United’s deeper problem

This is a team that had a man advantage for 70 minutes in a home derby and could not score a single goal. Four points from four Premier League matches puts United in 13th place. Two shots rattled the woodwork. Neither found the net.

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