Photo via BBC Sport

VAR missed Fernandez offside in Manchester derby - Webb

Professional Game Match Officials chief Howard Webb expressed deep frustration over a crucial mistake during the Manchester derby at Old Trafford, acknowledging that a winning goal ought to have been overturned. In the 60th minute, an on-field offside ruling initially chalked off Erling Haaland's strike, but semi-automated tracking showed the Manchester City forward was onside by three centimetres from Josko Gvardiol's delivery.

However, video assistant referee Matt Donohue and assistant Blake Antrobus developed narrow focus strictly around Haaland's status, missing Enzo Fernandez's central lunge toward the delivery that interfered with goalkeeper Sanne Lammens and defender Lisandro Martinez.

According to Webb on the debut broadcast of 'Match Officials Mic'd Up', the video team mistakenly searched solely for a touch by Fernandez rather than judging his subjective impact on the play. Both video officials have been removed from assignments until following the international break, while the audio and visuals from the review were provided directly to Manchester United.

Earlier in the contest, controversy had already surfaced in the 23rd minute when Phil received a red card for striking out toward Bruno Fernandes.