Ref bosses admit Erling Haaland winner in Manchester derby was MISTAKE as Man Utd told investigation to follow

MANCHESTER UNITED have been told Erling Haaland’s winner in the Manchester derby should NOT have stood. The Norwegian star handed Man City a 1-0 win at Old Trafford after slotting home at the back post. But Enzo Fernandez, who was in an offside position, dived for the ball on its way to Haaland, drawing the attention of Lisandro Martinez and Senne Lemmens. Now, a Pro Ref statement has indicated that Fernandez’s involvement DID influence Man United’s defence and the goal should not have stood. A Pro Ref spokesperson said: “Following the incident in the 60th minute of Sunday’s Premier League fixture between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford, we can provide clarification regarding Erling Haaland’s awarded goal. “The on-field decision was offside against Erling Haaland – that was checked by VAR and he was found to be in an onside position. READ MORE “In the same attack, it was established that Enzo Fernandez did not play the ball and therefore that makes any offside offence subjective, however, on this occasion, the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review. “Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement. A review of the incident will take place.” Just earlier in the day, the Premier League had backed the decision to award the goal. BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK The Prem statement read: “VAR checked the referee’s call of no goal for offside – and determined that Haaland was in an onside position and recommended that the goal was awarded. Most read in Sport “The VAR also deemed that while in an offside position, Fernandez didn’t play the ball.” But Gary Neville knew it was an error from the start and forsore this apology from the Pro Ref. He told Sky Sports: “They have given the goal… I’m lost. I’m going to need the offside rule explained to me. “The officials will be nervous about this goal. “When they look back on this, they will recognise they got this wrong. The question is does Fernandez, who is offside, stop Martinez getting the ball? He does.” Former referee Mark Halsey also told The Sun that they had got the major decision wrong. It seemed Pro Ref admitting the mistake themselves was all there was to wait for. But of course, that does not help Manchester United and it does help Manchester City continue their perfect start to the season. Martinez, the defender who was drawn to the offside Fernandez instead of Haaland, insisted straight after the game that the goal had to be offside. He said: “It’s the best league in the world, you have the best teams in the world, the best players in the world, and now we have to go home with this injustice. “I think it was offside. What I can’t understand is the rules. He [Fernandez] was there, in front of me, and I went to him. So that’s why Haaland was free at the back. ‘It’s so hard because you lose a derby and you lose three points at home. Every season they’re coming to our club and explaining the rules for an hour-and-a-half. “They look so confident, and then after that five or six people are making these kind of mistakes. It’s unacceptable.” Boss Michael Carrick, who has started the season with four points from four games, also rejected the Premier League’s analysis of the goal. Speaking to Sky Sports in his post-match interview, Carrick blasted: “I’m confused. “We put things in place in the game now. We have people in offices with all the screens for this decision. “It’s more worrying about if that’s the interpretation of football now. “If that’s the interpretation of not interfering in the game now, that’s really worrying for me. It’s a STAGGERING explanation.” Man Utd ratings: Diogo Dalot and Patrick Dorgu prove costly at the back as Kobbie Mainoo impressive in the middle DIOGO DALOT and Patrick Dorgu exposed Man Utd's defensive frailties as bitter rivals Man City stole all three points in the Manchester derby Erling Haaland scored a hugely controversial winner after VAR overturned an offside call. Replays showed Patrick Dorgu played Haaland onside, while City’s new £125million man Enzo Fernandez was incredibly deemed to have not been interfering with play. Kobbie Mainoo was really put to the test against a rock solid City midfielder, but grabbed the game by the lapels in the second half and was hugely unlucky not to score. Here’s how SunSport’s Samuel Luckhurst rated the Red Devils at Old Trafford.