Carrick blasts VAR decision as “staggering” after Haaland’s controversial winner
Abdullateef Fowewe
Manchester United manager, Michael Carrick has delivered a scathing verdict on the VAR call that allowed Erling Haaland’s decisive goal in Sunday’s Manchester derby, branding the explanation “staggering” and saying it “made it worse.”
City’s 1-0 victory at Old Trafford hinged on the second-half strike.
Replays showed Enzo Fernández in an offside position as he dived in an attempt to meet Joško Gvardiol’s cross.
The Argentine midfielder did not touch the ball, and officials ruled he had not interfered with play.
Haaland, played onside by United defender Patrick Dorgu, finished at the back post.
Speaking to Sky Sports afterwards, Carrick said, “How you can say Enzo Fernández does not interfere with the play literally is beyond me. It’s staggering. It’s really weird to me how that’s interpreted. I could not understand it when I saw it, and then the explanation made it worse.”
The decision quickly became the talking point of the match.
Pundits including Gary Neville and Roy Keane also questioned the interpretation of the offside law regarding interference, with Neville suggesting Pro Ref may yet issue an apology.
The result left City with a hard-fought three points against ten-man United after Phil Foden’s earlier red card, while Carrick’s side were left feeling hard done by on a major call that could have kept the score level.
