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Manchester City defeated Manchester United 1-0 away at Old Trafford in the Premier League. The winning goal for Man City was scored by Erling Haaland in the 60th minute.
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The goal is highly controversial as many believe the goal should have been ruled offside. The goal was initially ruled offside, but a VAR check overturned the decision of referee Michael Oliver.
Haaland’s goal was deemed offside by his position, but replays show that he was onside due to Manchester United’s Patrick Dorgu’s leg keeping him on.
However, the controversy behind this goal is Enzo Fernandez, who attempts to head the ball in the box while being in an offside position.
VAR reasoning for the goal to be overturned as a valid goal was the following: “VAR checked the referee’s call of no goal for offside – and determined that Haaland was in an onside position and recommended that the goal was awarded. The VAR also deemed that while in an offside position, Fernandez didn’t play the ball.”
Erling Haaland scores against United with City down to 10 men! pic.twitter.com/pWgwXMR4gi
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) September 13, 2026
Joe Hart and Micah Richards On Man City’s Controversial Goal
Following the match, former Manchester City players Joe Hart and Micah Richards believe the Haaland goal should have been disallowed due to Enzo Fernandez’s attempt to go for the ball even though he did not touch the ball.
Goals have been disallowed in the past when players in an offside position attempt to touch the ball but can’t affect the play.
After the game, Hart said, “Enzo [Fernandez] was making a clear action to go to that ball. You can see in Haaland’s face he’s not that disappointed when this is given [goal being disallowed at first]… As the ball crosses, he [Enzo] affects [Lisandro] Martinez. Martinez has to deal with Enzo; he has to go to him. He would clear that if he is not there, he doesn’t. By the letter of the law, I think that goal is offside.”
Micah Richards believes that the referee got many things wrong in the game, including allowing the goal to be given and the red card incident with Phil Foden in the first half.
Richards said, “I think it’s been a bad day for referees. They got the Foden decision wrong and the Fernandez decision wrong. I think they got it so wrong but I don’t think it takes anything away from City’s performance.”
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This story was originally published September 13, 2026 at 11:22 AM.