MANCHESTER — Manchester United manager Michael Carrick lashed out at the decision to award Erling Haaland’s 60th-minute match-winner, branding the VAR interpretation regarding offside interference as “worrying for football”.
Ten-man Manchester City edged out a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford on Sunday despite Phil Foden’s 23rd-minute red card. However, the fixture was dominated by refereeing controversy when Haaland turned home a deflected cross at the back post.
The linesman initially raised the flag for offside. While Haaland was kept onside by defender Patrick Dorgu, City midfielder Enzo Fernández was standing in an offside position directly in front of goal. Fernández launched himself into a diving header attempt, missing the ball by inches.
The movement forced defender Lisandro Martínez and goalkeeper Senne Lammens to react, leaving Haaland unattended at the far post. Following a lengthy VAR check, officials overturned the on-field decision, ruling that Fernández did not touch the ball and therefore did not interfere with play.
Speaking after the final whistle, Carrick did not hold back his dismay regarding the explanation provided by the match officials.
“The explanation I got was he wasn’t interfering with play. I just don’t get it, I really don’t get it. I can’t understand how we are trying to help referees—putting so many layers behind them, so many bodies, so many screens, and so many offices—to try to come up with the right decisions, and if that’s how the rule is interpreted… it’s worrying.” — Michael Carrick
When asked sarcastically about potential post-match apologies or clarifications from the refereeing body, Carrick quipped: “Yeah, that’d be great, that. Yeah, I can’t wait for that one.”
Defender Lisandro Martínez echoed his manager’s sentiments, labeling the outcome an “injustice” and stating that Fernández’s motion directly prevented him from covering Haaland at the back post. Conversely, City boss Enzo Maresca defended the call, maintaining that Haaland was onside and Fernández did not touch the play.
