Michael Carrick slams ‘staggering’ VAR offside determination in Manchester derby defeat
Manchester United were on the wrong end of a controversial VAR offside decision in their 1-0 Manchester derby defeat to Manchester City, with manager Michael Carrick left fuming by the ruling
Michael Carrick was furious at the decision(Image: Sky Sports.)
Michael Carrick has criticised the decision that led to Manchester United’s 1-0 loss to Manchester City. The Reds’ manager confessed he is ‘really worried’ after Erling Haaland’s winning goal was permitted despite an offside Enzo Fernandez seeming to interfere with play.
The Norwegian netted the crucial goal for Enzo Maresca’s side, reduced to 10 men, when Josko Gvardiol’s cross-cum-shot ricocheted towards the back post where Haaland was on hand to finish.
Lisandro Martinez was positioned between Fernandez and Haaland, but the Argentine made a diving attempt at a header. However, it was decided that the ex-Chelsea player hadn’t interfered with play.
Erling Haaland scored the only goal of the game(Image: Getty Images)
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Haaland’s strike was initially disallowed for offside, but following a lengthy review by the Video Assistant Referee, it was determined that Patrick Dorgu had played the forward onside.
Carrick was incensed by the decision to let the goal stand and the subsequent justification that Fernandez hadn’t influenced play despite being marked by his compatriot, reports the Express.
He stated: “Confused, not even confused, we’ve put things in place to help referees’ decisions, screens, referees in an office somewhere. It’s more worrying about if that’s the interpretation about football.
“If we’ve got people in place that are meant to understand the game of football or not interfering with play or impacting an attack, throwing your body at it with a defender next to him, it’s really worrying for me, if that’s how it’s interpreted.
“It’s a staggering decision. I can’t understand it once I seen it then the explanation almost makes it worse. Well, the explanation that he’s not interfering with play. Incredible.
“It’s not going to change a season, it’s a major impact on the game and it’s a massive game. It’s a long season ahead, we’ve got to get back to winning football matches, that’s on us, that (decision) wasn’t on us today.”
City were down to 10 men in the first half when Phil Foden was shown a red card for violent conduct after lashing out at Bruno Fernandes. However, the Red Devils fell to another loss while Maresca’s team kept their perfect record intact.
