Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand took to social media to vent his frustration over the controversial goal conceded by his former club against Manchester City
Rio Ferdinand has called VAR ‘deluded’ after the decision to allow Erling Haaland’s winning goal to stand in the Manchester derby. The linesman had initially raised his flag to deny the visitors, with it appearing that Enzo Fernandez had interfered with play to spare Manchester United’s blushes.
At first it was unclear why the goal was allowed to stand, as Haaland appeared offside when Josko Gvardiol delivered his cross into the box. Fernandez, who also seemed to go too early, made an attempt to reach the delivery with a diving header.
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez was positioned between Fernandez and Haaland, but officials ruled that the former Chelsea man had not interfered with play despite being in an offside position. It was later determined that Patrick Dorgu’s outstretched foot was the decisive factor keeping Haaland onside.
When sharing his thoughts on X, Ferdinand criticised VAR and suggested that Martínez should have done more by defending the player closest to goal – in this case, Haaland. Ferdinand wrote: “Martinez has to go defend the man nearest the goal whether he believes he’s offside or not.
“In split seconds, you make the decision. He goes to defend Fernandez – who then attempts to play the ball. Deluded from VAR! Regardless – Utd never created enough chances once City went to 10 men.”
Reds head coach Michael Carrick was also left fuming by the decision, stating post-match: “Confused, not even confused, we’ve put things in place to help referees’ decisions, screens, referees in an office somewhere. It’s more worrying about if that’s the interpretation about football.
“If we’ve got people in place that are meant to understand the game of football or not interfering with play or impacting an attack, throwing your body at it with a defender next to him, it’s really worrying for me, if that’s how it’s interpreted. It’s a staggering decision. I can’t understand it once I seen it then the explanation almost makes it worse.
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“Well, the explanation that he’s not interfering with play. Incredible. It’s not going to change a season, it’s a major impact on the game and it’s a massive game. It’s a long season ahead, we’ve got to get back to winning football matches, that’s on us, that (decision) wasn’t on us today.”
Enzo Maresca’s City went on to win 1-0 despite being reduced to ten men, with Phil Foden sent off for a challenge on Bruno Fernandes in the first half. It was the Portuguese midfielder who initially appeared to swipe at Foden while the City man was on the floor.
Foden didn’t react well, kicking out and catching Fernandes with both feet straight into the lower abdomen, sending the United captain to the turf.
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