Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez believes that Erling Haaland’s decisive winner for Manchester City at Old Trafford was offside and “can’t understand” why it was given.
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The Norway international’s clinical finish at the back post provided Enzo Maresca's side with a shock lead during a threatening period in the game, wherein Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo both hit the post.
Erling Haaland’s goal, which was initially ruled out for offside after 60 minutes, was overturned following an intriguing VAR review that provided evidence of Patrick Dorgu’s foot playing the Manchester City forward onside.
There were concerns around Enzo Fernandez’s attempted header before Haaland struck glory, which some argued that he was interfering with Lisandro Martinez, who deviated his run to stick with his international teammate rather than covering Haaland at the back post.
After the game, Pro Ref issued a statement, pointing out that "VAR should have recommended an on-field review" of the goal, which would have likely resulted in the opener being ruled out.
Martinez fumes at “injustice” over Haaland goal
Speaking with Sky Sports following the conclusion of the controversial derby, Lisandro Martinez went on an anger-fuelled rant, questioning how Erling Haaland's goal in the 1-0 win stood, saying, “I think it was offside. And what I can’t understand is the rules.
“He [Enzo Fernandez] was there; I went to him. He was there, in front of me, so that’s why [Erling] Haaland was free at the back. But I want to be calm now; I want to control myself.”
It could be debated that Manchester United should not have been in a position to complain so much following a spell of dominance that saw Michael Carrick’s side threaten an opening after Phil Foden was sent off for violent conduct after 23 minutes.
Foden, who started on the right side of attack, was fouled by Bruno Fernandes before the United captain planted two subtle kicks into the Manchester City player’s back.
However, acting with raw emotion and at the height of the moment, the Stockport-born attacker lashed out and prodded Fernandes with the underside of his boot, resulting in a sending-off that had Old Trafford fired up.
To the disbelief of many, City played much better following Phil Foden’s dismissal, but the possession stats were still in great favour of Manchester United, who ended the game with 16 shots but only three on target.
Now we have to go home with this injustice, says Martinez
Erling Haaland’s sixth goal in four games was the only product that separated the sides in the end, with Manchester City now standing second in the Premier League table, joint on points with last season’s champions Arsenal.
Lisandro Martinez and Manchester United sank to 13th place on just four points, and the Argentine international defender has described the frequent “mistakes” in officiating as “unacceptable".
Speaking to Sky Sports, he added, “It’s so hard because you lose a derby, you lose three points at home, and every season they’re coming to our club, they explain for one hour, one hour and a half, the rules, and they look so confident with that.
“And then after five, six people doing these kinds of mistakes in the Premier League - it’s unacceptable. Because it’s the best league in the world, you have to be the best teams in the world, the best players in the world, and now we have to go home with this injustice.”
The win took Enzo Maresca to four wins out of four in the Premier League since succeeding Pep Guardiola, and he will now look ahead to his first Carabao Cup tie against Norwich City in the third round of the competition on Thursday night.