Photo via Sky Sports

Man City winner an error admits refereeing body as Man Utd receive apology

Refereeing authority Pro Ref has conceded that Manchester City's decisive strike should not have stood during their 1-0 triumph over Manchester United at Old Trafford. Shortly after the final whistle, the organization reached out to United with an apology, acknowledging a misjudgment in the 60th minute and confirming that the video assistant referee ought to have advised the pitch referee to review the incident on the pitchside monitor.

Erling Haaland's finish had originally been flagged offside by the on-field crew before being incorrectly permitted via video review.

While the replay team determined Patrick Dorgu kept Haaland onside, they overlooked Enzo Fernandez's offside positioning. Fernandez had tried to play the delivery prior to Haaland scoring at the far post, actively influencing United defender Lisandro Martinez's ability to defend.

Under the sport's regulations, that interference meant the goal ought to have been overturned and ruled out, a blunder that also drew public criticism from pundit Gary Neville.