Manchester United hosted rivals Manchester City on Sunday, a match that was the first test for both sides during the opening few games of the Premier league season.
Enzo Maresca's side went into the tie as narrow favourites, having spent upwards of £450 million this summer transfer window, and parading a new £240 million midfield, but it wasn't smooth sailing for City.
An early red card for Phil Foden, after he kicked out at Bruno Fernandes following a challenge, meant the Blues were down to ten men for the majority of the game, an opportunity United failed to capitalise on despite numerous chances.
But a controversial Erling Haaland goal was enough to seperate the two sides, an extensive VAR check on the goal left fans disgruntled, as it appeared obvious the goal would not stand, a point United legend Gary Neville was quick criticise.
The Haaland winner was the obvious talking point from Sunday's match, the ruling in favour of the goal by VAR referee on the day, Matt Donohue, was enough to give City all three points.
Neville, who was on commentary for the game, was openly critical about how the refereeing team approached the controversial ruling, and has called for action to be taken regarding future procedures.
"We then find out through the automated offside, which we don't see anymore, and I have to say, I am absolutely fuming with this."
The automated offside system has its obvious flaws, but it works the majority of the time, but Neville focussed on the fact fans were left in dark for "30 or 40 seconds" when the VAR team were deciding on the ruling, something that FIFA reverted to during the World Cup, and has continued in the Premier League.
"FIFA started it during the World Cup. We're not putting the lines in anymore on the pitch and the camera anymore so the fans at home and we can see if Haaland is offside. We all imagine Haaland is offside because we're just looking at the camera and he looks offside."
Neville continues, saying fans were left believing Haaland was ruled offside, which ultimatley he wasn't, and that fans were left confused as to what the VAR team were checking. More clarity is needed during these procedures.
With just four points from four games, Michael Carrick will be hoping his side can improve on this poor run of form. The two opening games were meant to be two easy wins to kickstart the season, but Hull's shocking return to Premier League football initiated a lacklustre opening few fixtures.
It's not all doom and gloom for Carrick's side. A 5-1 win over Ipswich, followed by a disappointing last-minute loss to Everton, gave United those four points, and in all three fixtures following the Hull game, which we'll conclude was an anomaly, the Reds have shown periods of dominance.
The main worry is the United's lack of quality in squad depth. Luke Shaw, who has played almost 42 games out of the last 44, was injured on Sunday and left out of the matchday sqaud, but Patrick Dorgu failed to fill his boots at left back, and was at fault for Haaland's goal.
Joshua Zirkzee was called upon in the last seven minutes of the Manchester derby on Sunday, a player the board were actively trying to offload this summer, whereas Marseca replaced Rayan Cherki with new £65 million signing Illiman Ndiaye, who was crucial during the build up to the only goal of the game.
It is supremely obvious United lack capable alternatives to key players like Shaw, despite having the opportunity to recruit in these areas this summer, and this may lead to greater issues further down the road, during a congested period.
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