Why VAR allowed Haaland’s goal against Man United – Howard Webb

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Manchester City’s Norwegian striker #09 Erling Haaland celebrates scoring the team’s first goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on September 13, 2026. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

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By Adegboyega Adeleye

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Professional Game Referees (Pro Ref) chief Howard Webb has explained how VAR’s “tunnel vision” contributed to the controversial decision to award Manchester City striker Erling Haaland’s winner against Manchester United in the Manchester derby.

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Speaking on the first edition of Match Officials Mic’d Up this season, Webb said he was “really disappointed” with the error made by VAR Matt Donohue and his assistant, Blake Antrobus.

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“I was really disappointed with this outcome. We all are,” said Webb, Premier League refereeing body Pro Ref’s chief refereeing officer.

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“None more so than the officials themselves. They take a lot of personal pride in what they do and they’re obviously hurting now, having fallen short in this situation.

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“They’ll not be officiating again until after the international break.”

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Haaland thought he had scored the only goal of the game at Old Trafford in the 60th minute, but the effort was initially ruled out for offside by the on-field officials.

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However, a VAR review found Haaland was marginally onside, leading to the goal being awarded.

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The controversy centred on City midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who was in an offside position as he attempted to reach the ball before Haaland. Although Fernandez did not touch the ball, his movement appeared to affect Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez.

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Pro Ref had already admitted that the decision was an “error of judgment”, saying VAR failed to recognise the likely impact of Fernandez’s position and should have recommended an on-field review.

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Webb said VAR became “super-focused” on establishing whether Haaland was onside and subsequently

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failed to properly assess Fernandez’s involvement in the attacking phase.

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“The VAR gets super-focused on Haaland. He establishes he is onside but when he runs it through full APP he doesn’t truly evaluate full impact of Fernandez,” Webb said.

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“In that moment, he gets tunnel vision. It’s down to rest of team to pull him out of that tunnel.”

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The former Premier League referee added that the goal should not have stood.

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“This goal should’ve been disallowed,” Webb said.

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Haaland’s position was checked using semi-automated offside technology, which showed the Norwegian was three centimetres onside.

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But VAR’s assessment of Fernandez focused largely on whether he had touched the ball. Under the offside law, however, a player can still be penalised without touching the ball if his actions interfere with an opponent or impact their ability to play it.

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Webb said the VAR should therefore have recommended that referee Michael Oliver review the incident on the pitch rather than simply confirming the goal.

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The officials involved in the incident were Donohue, Antrobus, Oliver and fourth official Paul Tierney. Pro

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Ref subsequently said the VAR officials would not officiate until after the international break.

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The error had already drawn strong criticism from the United camp, with manager Michael Carrick describing the decision as “worrying”.

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Martinez, who was directly involved in the incident, also said Fernandez’s position affected his defending.

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“I went to him because he was in front of me. That’s why Haaland was free at the back,” Martinez told Sky Sports.

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“Five or six people (officials) doing this kind of mistake in the Premier League is unacceptable.

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“We have to go home with this injustice.”

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Pro Ref subsequently contacted Manchester United to acknowledge the mistake and said a review of the incident would take place.

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Webb also defended the decision to send Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden off during the derby, while saying Bruno Fernandes’ kick was “more petulant than violent” and warranted a yellow card rather than a red

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