VAR controversy surrounds Haaland's goal for Manchester City against United
6 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 16, 2026, 3:03 PM
Last updated Sep 16, 2026
A discussion has emerged regarding a VAR decision on Erling Haaland's goal for Manchester City in their match against rivals Manchester United. Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher and ex-Coventry striker Jay Bothroyd analyze how VAR mismanaged this key moment of the game. The debate centers on the implications of this decision for both teams and the broader usage of VAR technology in matches. No official conclusion on the match's outcome was available at this time.
- •VAR ruled on Erling Haaland's goal for Manchester City.
- •Dermot Gallagher and Jay Bothroyd analyzed the decision.
- •Debate surrounds the implications for both teams involved.
- •Discussion focuses on the effectiveness of VAR technology.
- •The match conclusion remains unreported.
- 3:03 PMYahoo Sports — Pressure for quick VAR decisions obvious in rushed derby review
- 3:03 PMBBC Sport — Pressure for quick VAR decisions obvious in rushed derby review
- 7:00 PMThe Guardian Sport — Haaland goal should not have stood but VAR made the right call with Sunderland penalty | Chris Foy
"Matt Donohue is only human and made a mistake, but overall referees have started well this season There was a disappointing outcome on a big decision in the Manchester derby and no one will feel it more than the video assistant referee, Matt Donohue. On Sunday night, Pro Ref confirmed that Donohue had made a mistake in allowing Erling Haaland’s goal in City’s 1-0 victory to stand when Enzo Fernández had been in an offside position. When a VAR considers a decision such as this they start from the point at which the goal is scored and work backwards. Here, when Haaland scores, the flag is raised by the assistant referee for offside. The VAR automatically checked that on-field decision and used a semi‑automated system to show Haaland was onside. The decision was then made to overturn the call and award the goal. Continue reading...
"Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher and former Coventry striker Jay Bothroyd dissect the biggest talking point of the weekend and ask how VAR got Erling Haaland's winner for Manchester City against rivals United so wrong.
"The controversy surrounding the VAR decision to allow Erling Haaland's winner in the Manchester derby has rumbled on for days, so what led to the error?
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 16, 2026, 3:03 PMPressure for quick VAR decisions obvious in rushed derby review
The controversy surrounding the VAR decision to allow Erling Haaland's winner in the Manchester derby has rumbled on for days, so what led to the error?
- BBC SportSep 16, 2026, 3:03 PMPressure for quick VAR decisions obvious in rushed derby review
The controversy surrounding the VAR decision to allow Erling Haaland's winner in the Manchester derby has rumbled on for days, so what led to the error?
- The Guardian SportSep 14, 2026, 7:00 PMHaaland goal should not have stood but VAR made the right call with Sunderland penalty | Chris Foy
Matt Donohue is only human and made a mistake, but overall referees have started well this season There was a disappointing outcome on a big decision in the Manchester derby and no one will feel it more than the video assistant referee, Matt Donohue. On Sunday night, Pro Ref confirmed that Donohue had made a mistake in allowing Erling Haaland’s goal in City’s 1-0 victory to stand when Enzo Fernández had been in an offside position. When a VAR considers a decision such as this they start from the point at which the goal is scored and work backwards. Here, when Haaland scores, the flag is raised by the assistant referee for offside. The VAR automatically checked that on-field decision and used a semi‑automated system to show Haaland was onside. The decision was then made to overturn the call and award the goal. Continue reading...
- Sky Sports—'You can't lose focus' | Why did VAR get Haaland goal so wrong?
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher and former Coventry striker Jay Bothroyd dissect the biggest talking point of the weekend and ask how VAR got Erling Haaland's winner for Manchester City against rivals United so wrong.
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