Manchester City’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford was decided by Erling Haaland’s 60th-minute goal, but the strike has sparked a major debate over the VAR decision that allowed it to stand.

Haaland appeared to be in an offside position when Josko Gvardiol’s cross was played towards him. The assistant referee initially raised his flag, ruling out the goal. However, after a lengthy VAR review, the decision was overturned and Haaland’s goal was awarded.

Was Erling Haaland Offside?

So, was Haaland actually offside? According to the Premier League’s official assessment, no. VAR determined that a part of Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu’s body was keeping Haaland onside at the moment the ball was played. The positioning was extremely tight and difficult to judge from the initial television angle.

However, there was another controversial element. Enzo Fernández was in an offside position and moved towards the ball during the attacking sequence. VAR concluded that he did not play the ball and therefore did not interfere with play sufficiently to constitute an offside offence.

That explanation has failed to convince several observers. Former Manchester United players Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney questioned the decision, while Neville was particularly critical of the VAR process.

Did VAR make a mistake?

Ultimately, VAR made a mistake. The decision was based on the interpretation that Dorgu played Haaland onside and Fernández did not interfere. But Fernández interfered indeed. From an offside position, he threw his body towards ball, and that impeded Man United defender Lisandro Martinez from clearing the ball from the cross.

As per the IFAB Laws of the Game, a player in an offside position at the moment the ball is played or touched by a teammate is only penalised on becoming involved in active play by many rules.

Article 11.2 of the Offside offence has clearly stated it will be considered as offside if a player is ‘clearly attempting to play a ball which is close when this action impacts on an opponent’ or ‘making an obvious action which clearly impacts on the ability of an opponent to play the ball.’

Hence, as per the laws of the game, the City goal shouldn’t have been given.

Former Man United striker Dimitar Berbatov was not happy with the VAR decision, while Michael Owen was also in disbelief at how it was given a goal. He said it was ‘a monumental mistake’ after the match. Former Manchester City player Joe Hart was also appalled by the decision and said ‘the goal shouldn’t have been given.’