Why was Erling Haaland’s goal against Manchester United allowed to stand?

Erling Haaland opened the scoring for Manchester City in the derby against Manchester United after a long VAR check. Haaland was initially ruled to be offside when he tucked in Josko Gvardiol’s deflected cross from the left wing to put City 1-0 up. However, to much confusion, the striker was then ruled to be onside following a lengthy check from the VAR Matt Donohue. Erling Haaland has put Manchester City ahead in the derby after a VAR check ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/V0DCwryhFy — Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 13, 2026 Haaland was played onside by Dorgu’s outstretched foot as the Manchester United defender went to close down Gvardiol. The angle of the initial TV replays appeared to show that Haaland was in an offside position at the back post. But the Premier League’s semi-automated offside technology proved that Haaland was in fact behind Dorgu. The reason the check too so long was because Enzo Fernandez was in an offside position as he also attempted to reach the cross. The Manchester City midfielder attempted to reach the cross with a diving header, but missed. Had Fernandez touched the ball he would have been offside, while the VAR also ruled that Haaland was not interfering with play. There is an argument that Fernandez put off the United defender Lisandro Martinez, who was between Fernandez and Haaland at the back post. City were down to 10 men in the Manchester derby following Phil Foden’s first-half red card for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes.