Refereeing body: VAR made 'error' by awarding Haaland's derby-winning goal

Pro Ref, the refereeing body that oversees the Premier League, admitted that the officials handling Sunday's Manchester derby made an "error in judgment" by awarding Erling Haaland the goal that gave Manchester City a 1-0 win at Old Trafford.

Haaland scored the lone goal of the contest in the 60th minute.

His strike was initially disallowed on the field for offside, but the video assistant referee (VAR) intervened and awarded the goal after a long review.

"The on-field decision was offside against Erling Haaland - that was checked by VAR and he was found to be in an onside position," a spokesperson for English football's refereeing body said in a statement, according to Dan Sheldon of The Athletic.

"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 recognize 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," the statement added.

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Shortly after the goal, Premier League Match Centre released its justification for the decision, asserting that Fernandez wasn't actively involved in the play because he didn't touch the ball before it reached his Norwegian teammate.

By rule, however, a player can be penalized for offside by attempting to play the ball even if he doesn't ultimately make contact with it.

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez, who was involved in the play inside the penalty area, called the decision to award the goal an "injustice."

"I went to (Fernandez) because he was in front of me. That's why Haaland was free at the back," Martinez explained. "Five or six people (officials) doing this kind of mistake in the Premier League is unacceptable.

"We have to go home with this injustice."

The controversial win, which Man City managed after having Phil Foden sent off in the 23rd minute, lifted Enzo Maresca's team level with Arsenal on 12 points from the opening four matches of the Premier League season.