Pro Ref have issued a statement confirming a VAR error in Manchester City's 1-0 win at Manchester United on Sunday evening.
Erling Haaland scored a controversial winner against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday evening.
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The goal arrived on the hour mark at Old Trafford when Haaland latched onto the end of a deflected cross from Josko Gvardiol and finished into the net.
The on-field decision was immediately given as offside, with the initial check focusing on whether Haaland himself was in an illegal position. VAR confirmed Haaland was onside, Patrick Dorgu's presence playing the City striker on, and the goal was awarded.
The controversy centred on Enzo Fernandez, who was positioned in what appeared to be an offside position in the same phase of play.
Pro Ref have since acknowledged that Fernandez did not play the ball and that therefore any offside offence on his part was subjective, but have confirmed that the VAR should have recommended an on-field review to assess the likely impact of his position on the goalkeeper or defenders, and did not do so.
Contact has been made with Manchester United to acknowledge the error, with Pro Ref confirming a review of the incident will take place.
The statement stops short of suggesting the goal should have been disallowed, but the acknowledgement that the correct process was not followed leaves the incident in an uncomfortable grey area for both clubs.
The goal settled a fiery Manchester derby in which Phil Foden was shown a straight red card in the 23rd minute for violent conduct against United's Bruno Fernandes, a decision that left City with 10 men for the majority of the contest.
Manchester City held on through United's late pressure, with Gianluigi Donnarumma making a crucial one-on-one stop against Bryan Mbeumo in stoppage time to preserve the win.
The three points moved Maresca's side to five wins from five in all competitions and maintained their position at the top of the Premier League table heading into the international break. City's next Premier League fixture is a home clash with Norwich City, with Foden suspended.
Controversy and raw emotion defined a fiery Manchester derby at Old Trafford where, despite Phil Foden seeing red early on, Erling Haaland delivered the decisive blow to prove once again that the city’s football hierarchy remains undeniably blue.cityxtra.co.ukMatch Report & Player Ratings: Man United 0-1 Man City (Premier League)
Controversy and raw emotion defined a fiery Manchester derby at Old Trafford where, despite Phil Foden seeing red early on, Erling Haaland delivered the decisive blow to prove once again that the city’s football hierarchy remains undeniably blue.
Pro Ref Clarify the VAR Process on Haaland's Goal
Pro Ref issued the following statement: "Following the incident in the 60th minute of Sunday's Premier League fixture between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford, we can provide clarification regarding Erling Haaland's awarded goal.
"The on-field decision was offside against Erling Haaland – checked by VAR and he was found to be in an onside position.
"In the same attack, it was established Enzo Fernandez did not play the ball and therefore that makes any offside offence subjective, however, on this occasion, the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review.
"Contact has been made with Manchester United to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement. A review of the incident will take place."
The key distinction in Pro Ref's statement is that Haaland's goal is not being retrospectively disallowed, the statement confirms he was onside, and that Fernandez did not play the ball.
The issue identified is procedural: the VAR operative failed to trigger a review that the situation warranted, and the on-field referee was therefore not given the opportunity to make a final call on Fernandez's impact.
Whether that procedural failure would have led to a different outcome had the review taken place is impossible to say. Pro Ref do not suggest it would. What they confirm is that the correct process was not followed, and that they have informed Manchester United accordingly.
City return to action at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday night gainst Norwich City in the Carabao Cup third round, followed by the visit of Sunderland on Sunday ahead of a trip to Everton.