United were handed a major advantage just 22 minutes into the match when Phil Foden was sent off for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes. However, despite having a man advantage for the majority of the game, United failed to make it count, with the two sides going into half-time level.
United started the second half brightly, enjoying more possession and registering more shots than City, but they couldn't break through. On the hour mark, Haaland broke the deadlock in controversial circumstances. The Norwegian appeared to be offside both in real time and on replay, but after a lengthy VAR check, the goal was allowed to stand.
United struggled to find a response after falling behind and failed to create any clear-cut opportunities for the remainder of the match. Their best chance came deep into stoppage time when Bryan Mbeumo's close-range effort was brilliantly saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma, as City held on to secure all three points.
Despite looking offside during real time and the angle of the replay, Patrick Dorgu's outstretched boot was judged to have played the Norwegian forward just onside, but it's Enzo Fernandez' role in the goal that is the most controversial aspect of the opener.
As reported by the [Premier League Match Centre](https://x.com/PLMatchCentre/status/2099183583818645505) X account, "VAR checked the referee’s call of no goal for offside – and determined that Haaland was in an onside position and recommended that the goal was awarded.
"The VAR also deemed that while in an offside position, Fernandez didn’t play the ball."
According to the official rules surrounding offside, however, it's clear that the goal should have been ruled out for Fernandez being offside.
The rules indicate that a player will be penalised if they are:
It's clear that Enzo Fernandez impacted Lisandro Martinez's and Senne Lammens' decision-making in the goal, and his diving header was a clear attempt to play the ball. Since only one of those bullet points needs to be met for the goal to be judged offside, there's a case that the Argentinian midfielder's role meets all four, making VAR's decision even more controversial.
When looking back at the replay of the goal, you can clearly see Martinez run to Fernandez to cover him, which allowed Haaland to peel away at the back post and finish past Lammens, a clear example of interfering with play.
Speaking after the game, Michael Carrick expressed his frustration with VAR's decision, saying, "At the time, I hadn't totally seen it.
"The explanation I got is he wasn't interfering with play. I just don't get it. We try to help referees to come up with the right decisions, it's that how the rules are interpreted.
"On top of that, where they drew the line was a bit dubious. It's worrying if that's how the game is seen by the officials."
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