Photo via Sky Sports

Pro Ref admits error in awarding Man City's winner at Man Utd

English officiating organisation Pro Ref has formally conceded that Manchester City's decisive strike against Manchester United should have been ruled out. During the 60th minute of the Premier League clash at Old Trafford, Erling Haaland converted at the far post to seal a 1-0 triumph for the visitors, but the play triggered immediate debate.

Although assistant referees originally flagged the Norwegian forward for offside, video review overturned that verdict after establishing that defender Patrick Dorgu had kept him legally placed.

Nevertheless, Pro Ref, which is directed by Howard Webb following its rebranding from PGMO, reached out to United to acknowledge a misjudgement regarding Enzo Fernandez. The City player had pursued the pass from an illegal offside stance prior to Haaland's conversion, impeding Lisandro Martinez's defensive efforts without making contact with the ball.

Officials admitted the video assistant erred by failing to send the referee to the pitchside monitor, confirming that the match-winning effort should never have stood under standard regulations.