EPL: Why VAR Allowed Haaland’s Goal Against Man Utd — Howard Webb

Professional Game Referees chief Howard Webb has explained why VAR allowed Erling Haaland’s controversial goal in Manchester City’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Haaland’s 60th-minute goal was initially ruled out for offside by the on-field officials. However, VAR reviewed the incident and determined that the City striker was onside by three centimetres, with Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu playing him on.

The goal was subsequently awarded, despite City midfielder Enzo Fernandez being in an offside position during the attacking move.

Webb acknowledged that the decision was an error and said VAR became too focused on determining whether Haaland was offside.

According to Webb, the officials failed to properly assess Fernandez’s movement and its impact on the Manchester United defence.

Although Fernandez did not touch the ball, Webb explained that his attempt to play it affected United defender Lisandro Martinez and goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

Fernandez’s movement brought him close to the ball and prevented Martinez from being able to clear it properly, while also affecting Lammens’ positioning.

Webb said VAR checked whether Fernandez had touched the ball but failed to fully evaluate whether his actions constituted interference under the offside law.

He described the situation as “tunnel vision,” explaining that the VAR official became so focused on Haaland’s position that the rest of the VAR team failed to pull him back to consider Fernandez’s involvement.

Webb said he was “really disappointed” with the outcome and confirmed that the officials involved would not officiate again until after the international break.

Professional Game Referees has also contacted Manchester United to acknowledge the mistake and said it would review the process to establish how the officials failed to reach the correct decision.

The incident has generated significant criticism, with United players and pundits arguing that Fernandez’s position clearly affected the defending.

Webb ultimately confirmed that Haaland’s goal should not have stood, bringing further scrutiny to VAR’s decision-making process in the Premier League.