[TRENDING] Netizens react after ref admits error on Haaland’s controversial winner
Manchester City’s dramatic 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford has been overshadowed by a major refereeing controversy after Pro Ref admitted that an “error of judgement” was made in awarding Erling Haaland’s winning goal.
Haaland’s 60th-minute strike was initially ruled out for offside, but VAR overturned the decision and allowed the goal to stand. The controversy centred on City’s Enzo Fernández, who was in an offside position and attempted to play the ball before it reached Haaland. Although Fernández did not make contact with the ball, United argued that his position affected defender Lisandro Martínez and influenced the play.
Pro Ref has now acknowledged that VAR failed to properly recognise the likely impact of Fernández’s position and should have recommended that referee Michael Oliver review the incident on the pitch. The refereeing body has also contacted Manchester United to acknowledge what it described as an “error of judgement” and confirmed that the incident will be reviewed.
The admission will do little to change the result, however. City had already been reduced to 10 men after Phil Foden was sent off in the first half, yet Haaland’s goal proved enough to give them all three points in the 199th Manchester derby.
For United, the frustration is understandable. Manager Michael Carrick questioned the decision after the match, while Martínez described the situation as an injustice. The defeat leaves United with another difficult talking point, while City can celebrate a derby victory that came despite playing for more than an hour with a man fewer.
The bigger issue now is not simply whether VAR made a mistake, but whether the Premier League can continue to convince supporters that its review process is consistent and reliable.
The controversy, however, is far from over, as X users continue to share their reactions:
Arteta said something about it yesterday, it happened again today.
You keep apologizing, what if these points lost relegates United in May?— IFEANYịCHUKWU!! (@OgbajiIfeanyi) September 13, 2026
Whats funny is that mistakes are now impossible with VAR so if you are claiming a mistake, you shouldn’t be anywhere near the game. Get rid of them all. Never played it, don’t understand the love for it, and clearly don’t care for it.
— George Holland (@georgehollandd) September 14, 2026
Thats actually wild fs , cant even get it right with VAR
— Barry (@TheBankrsHub) September 14, 2026
Hit Dorgu’s foot on the way through so ONSIDE.
United fans forgot about this one https://t.co/4dJLdhMP9t
— BakerStreetMuse (@BakerSt_Muse) September 13, 2026
All the noise and to some extent, insults and personal attacks on @ManCity players is largely out of hatred for City and Fernandez, and Argentine player. This isn’t the 1st time incident like this has happened in the league. Check these and tell me if any apologies were issued! pic.twitter.com/Um88Cg57v5
— Kudzo (@KudzoWonder) September 14, 2026
It wasn’t an error let’s start calling it exactly what it is it’s cheating & the cheats should be punished
— The Avenging Darkness (@8lack_Avenga) September 14, 2026
We seriously need to talk about the standard of refereeing in the Premier League.
VAR was introduced to correct clear mistakes officials miss in real time. Yet we’re still seeing potentially match-defining errors even WITH multiple angles and replays.
And this is what…
— SuperGooner (@iamFreshboi) September 13, 2026
Premier league is becoming a joke, every week they admit one error and still won’t reverse the decision.. Lame league
— Ugochukwu Okosisi (@saintcworld) September 14, 2026
It’s not an error of judgment it’s corruption. They knew exactly what they were doing
— B r e t t H (@bhaslam681) September 14, 2026
It’s not an error of judgment it’s corruption. They knew exactly what they were doing
— B r e t t H (@bhaslam681) September 14, 2026
They will end up destroying our loving football eventually. Too much politicking!
— Mr Bellz🇳🇬🇬🇧🇱🇷 (@Khunlebell) September 13, 2026
And what are they going to do about it except say sorry, we fucked up. It’s Hal huge game fucked by a wrong decision. If United refuse to play under VAR again do United “lose” every match. United only play in Europe. Sky and Amazon and the other one will hate it as Man Utd is…
— Gareth Northgate (@GNorthgate35413) September 13, 2026
If that the winning goal then it should be removed. Leaving the result a draw right ??😵💫😵💫😵💫😆
— 1983mufc (@1983mufc) September 14, 2026
Does that cancel the 3 points?
— maxwell attah ayahson (@MAyahson) September 14, 2026
This is crazy. Admitted an Error “worthy of giving a goal to Arsenal” and admitted an error “giving an undue goal to Man City”. PL still playing the higher bidder game!
— Olakhunle (@LateefJolaoso) September 14, 2026
Different name @prorefofficial but same old @PGMOL_FA shit week in week out. This not-fit-for-purpose org. has incompetent, biased & corrupt so-called refs who keep making catastrophic “errors” every week. There’s no accountability or punishment; unless this changes, nothing will
— Nas 717 (@717_Nas) September 14, 2026
It seems like Man Utd are still paying for their sins under Sir Alex Ferguson!
— Amidu A Kanu (@amidukanu) September 14, 2026
WTF!!! Everybody knew that except PGMOL 😡 let’s see at the end of the season points… 🤡
— Tdgooner46 (@anthonydavid41) September 13, 2026
Match fixing from pro ref? …..is the only reasonable answer for all theses ‘error of judgment ‘ bs EVERY WEEK
— SK (@Utd7SK) September 14, 2026
Did they also apologise for failing to punish Fernandes for his petulant kick out at Foden (violent conduct), nowhere near the ball, which caused Foden to react in the way he did, or does he get away with it because of his acting to go down like he was shot
— Stuart Ingham-Smith (@smith_ingham) September 14, 2026
What are the consequences? Coaches and players get fined for even complaining about terrible officiating, but the refs just move on like nothing happened. I’m an Arsenal fan, and I’ll call it out even when the inconsistency hasn’t worked in our favor like the Rice and Trossard…
— LSA (@lowstakeamigo) September 14, 2026
The season is too young for one two many ‘error of judgment’. It’s becoming too convenient for Pro Ref and/or PGMOL to issue ceremonial apology every game week. The VAR exist to eliminate human errors not to compound it more than ever before. 🤮
— Atiba 🐐 (@Librarian_AI) September 14, 2026
When Arteta said about the officials on Saturday Yanited fans told him to get on with it now it happens to them there is outrage
— AAK💙💙💙 (@AnthonyKeddo) September 14, 2026
