Manchester City won the 199th Manchester derby 1-0 at Old Trafford yesterday, but the manner of the victory has sparked a familiar debate about VAR, offside interpretations, and who really benefits from the game's most contentious rule.
Erling Haaland scored the only goal in the 60th minute, slotting home a Josko Gvardiol cross at the back post. The linesman's flag went up immediately, ruling the goal out for offside. A lengthy VAR check followed, and as it dragged on, it became clear the decision would be overturned.
Haaland was onside when Gvardiol played the ball across United's six-yard box. The more contentious element was Enzo Fernandez, who was offside and influencing play when he attempted to head home the same cross before Haaland scored. VAR ruled that Fernandez wasn't influencing play, and the goal stood. City took a 1-0 lead they would hold onto.
Ref Pro's Admission and the 2023 Parallel
Following the match, the refereeing body Ref Pro admitted an error was made when Haaland's goal was awarded by VAR. They subsequently apologised to Manchester United. For City fans, the admission changes little. The record books will forever show a 1-0 win at Old Trafford.
The decision was reminiscent of a famous non-call City suffered in 2023, when Manchester United came from behind to win 2-1 at Old Trafford in January of that year. Bruno Fernandes scored the equaliser that day, but the build-up was the controversy. Marcus Rashford was played through by Casemiro, was clearly offside, and instead of touching the ball, shielded it for a significant distance into the City area before Fernandes lashed it home to make it 1-1. VAR awarded the goal after deeming Rashford had not touched the ball, even though he had clearly influenced the play.
That decision took three years to be balanced out. City have copped two high-profile VAR howlers at Old Trafford in recent times, and while yesterday's call was incorrect, that isn't City's issue to rectify.
Context and Consequences
The lack of outrage at the Rashford decision in 2023, or at the absence of VAR intervention when Diego Dalot hit Jeremy Doku with a high foot at Old Trafford last season during the 2025-26 campaign, has not been forgotten. Yesterday's win, with Foden's red card and the manner of Haaland's goal, made it that bit more special for City.
Ref Pro's apology will satisfy United and their supporters, but it won't change the result. City leave Old Trafford with three points and a derby win that will be remembered for the goal that shouldn't have stood — and the three years it took for one to go their way.