Carrick points to problem with 'layers of refereeing' as VAR error admitted

Michael Carrick pointed to the "worrying" state of refereeing before the VAR mistake was revealed over the Erling Haaland goal in the Manchester derby.

Haaland struck on the hour at Old Trafford to hand Manchester City a 1-0 win over arch-rivals Manchester United after team-mate Enzo Fernandez was deemed not to be interfering with play from an offside position.

The flag had initially been raised after Haaland slid in at the back post to turn in a deflected cross but the goal was given after a lengthy VAR review.

As the ball came across goal, Fernandez appeared to attempt a diving header, apparently affecting the positioning of defender Lisandro Martinez, but crucially did not connect.

United manager Carrick said: “The explanation I got was he wasn’t interfering with play. I just don’t get it, I really don’t get it.

“I can’t understand how we are trying to help referees – putting so many layers behind them, so many people, so many bodies, so many screens and so many offices, to try to come up with the right decisions.

"And if that’s how the rule is interpreted, that you’re not interfering with play because you have thrown yourself at the ball six yards from goal and pretty much nearly touched it, it’s worrying if that’s how the game is seen by those who are officiating it.”

Carrick claimed there were no grey areas when it came to determining whether Fernandez had interfered with play or not.

“We all understand what that rule means,” he said. “I think it is as obvious as it gets.”

Since then Pro Ref has contacted United to admit that an error was made. In a post on X after the incident, the Premier League Match Centre said the VAR “determined that Haaland was in an onside position” and “deemed that while in an offside position, (Enzo) Fernandez didn’t play the ball”.

United had been playing with a man advantage since the 23rd minute after City’s Phil Foden was sent off for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes.

The result left United with just four points from their opening four Premier League games but, while Carrick accepted his side could have been more clinical, he felt the Haaland decision had a big impact.

He said: “I thought the game was building the way we wanted it to but then the goal obviously had a big impact.

“We could have finished the game better, we could have been more creative, but I thought we’d started the second half well.”

City boss Enzo Maresca had a different verdict on the game’s main talking point.

“I think Erling was onside and Enzo doesn’t interfere with the action,” the Italian said.

Maresca also had no complaints about Foden’s dismissal but felt Fernandes should also have been sent off for kicking the City player in the first place to prompt his reaction.

He said: “I think Phil Foden’s red card is a red card, but I also think that in the same action it’s a red card for Bruno.”

City’s victory maintained their 100 per cent record.

Maresca said: “After the red card the game completely changed. I think the game with 10 players becomes more difficult for us.

“The spirit, effort and togetherness of the players was fantastic.”