WorldDraft
Maresca says VAR row should not eclipse City’s 10-man derby win
Pro Ref acknowledged that VAR wrongly overturned an on-field offside ruling to allow Erling Haaland’s winning goal against Manchester United.
Event
Maresca criticises focus on controversial Haaland winner in Manchester derby
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca said a VAR error awarding Erling Haaland’s winning goal should not overshadow City’s 1-0 victory at Manchester United, achieved after Phil Foden was sent off. Pro Ref later acknowledged the decision was wrong.
2 published stories · manchester-derby · source reliability 67%
Background
Why this event matters
Manchester City won 1–0 at Manchester United despite playing most of the match with 10 players after Phil Foden was sent off in the 23rd minute. Erling Haaland scored the decisive second-half goal. Pro Ref later acknowledged that VAR was wrong to overturn the on-field offside ruling and allow the goal. Enzo Maresca said the error should not overshadow City’s performance and defended officials working under time pressure. He also said City were still awaiting an apology over a disputed Manchester United goal from January 2023, a claim that should be attributed to Maresca.
event-brief
Maresca criticises focus on controversial Haaland winner in Manchester derby
Manchester City won 1–0 at Manchester United despite playing most of the match with 10 players after Phil Foden was sent off in the 23rd minute. Erling Haaland scored the decisive second-half goal. Pro Ref later acknowledged that VAR was wrong to overturn the on-field offside rul
Reporting trail
Al Jazeera Global News | https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/9/16/maresca-defends-var-while-lamenting-row-dominating-win-at-manchester-united | published 2026-09-16T13:49:55.000Z | primary sourceAl Jazeera Global News | Primary report for Maresca’s comments, the derby result, Foden’s dismissal, Haaland’s goal and Pro Ref’s acknowledgment.BBC Sport, via retrieved same-event context | Corroborates the VAR controversy and City’s extended period with 10 men.BBC Sport | https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cmx2zyjylee1o | published 2026-09-16T11:07:00.000Z | primary sourceBBC Sport | Primary report containing Maresca’s comments, match details and Webb’s explanationEvent digest | Concise summary of the central developmentRetrieved historical context | Background on the refereeing body’s explanation and follow-up
Fact cards
entity brief
Maresca criticises focus on controversial Haaland winner in Manchester derby: key people and institutions
Key entities: Enzo Maresca, Manchester City, Manchester United, Erling Haaland, Phil Foden.
faq brief
Maresca criticises focus on controversial Haaland winner in Manchester derby: key questions
What was the result of the derby? Manchester City beat Manchester United 1–0. Why was VAR controversial? VAR overturned the on-field offside ruling for Erling Haaland’s winning goal; Pro Ref later acknowledged the decision was wrong. When was Phil Foden sent off? Foden was dismis
source brief
Maresca criticises focus on controversial Haaland winner in Manchester derby: reporting sources
Al Jazeera Global News | https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/9/16/maresca-defends-var-while-lamenting-row-dominating-win-at-manchester-united | published 2026-09-16T13:49:55.000Z | primary source | Al Jazeera Global News | Primary report for Maresca’s comments, the derby result
timeline brief
Maresca criticises focus on controversial Haaland winner in Manchester derby: timeline
January 2023: Maresca cited a disputed Manchester United goal involving Marcus Rashford’s offside position. 23rd minute: Phil Foden was sent off as Manchester City played most of the derby with 10 players. Second half: Erling Haaland scored City’s winning goal. 2026-09-16: Pro Re
Timeline
January 2023
Maresca cited a disputed Manchester United goal involving Marcus Rashford’s offside position.
23rd minute
Phil Foden was sent off as Manchester City played most of the derby with 10 players.
Second half
Erling Haaland scored City’s winning goal.
2026-09-16
Pro Ref acknowledged that VAR had wrongly overturned the on-field offside ruling; Maresca defended VAR and said the controversy should not eclipse City’s 1–0 victory.
Before City’s League Cup third-round match against Norwich City
Maresca made the comments.
FAQ
What was the result of the derby?
Manchester City beat Manchester United 1–0.
Why was VAR controversial?
VAR overturned the on-field offside ruling for Erling Haaland’s winning goal; Pro Ref later acknowledged the decision was wrong.
When was Phil Foden sent off?
Foden was dismissed in the 23rd minute.
What did Enzo Maresca say?
He said the VAR controversy should not overshadow City’s performance and defended officials who make difficult decisions under time pressure.
What earlier incident did Maresca mention?
A disputed Manchester United goal from January 2023 involving Marcus Rashford’s offside position.
Why was Haaland’s goal controversial?
VAR overturned an initial offside decision, but officials later said Fernandez was offside and interfered with opponents.
Did Manchester City play with 10 men?
Yes. Foden was sent off in the 23rd minute, so City played most of the match with 10 men.
What was the final score?
Manchester City won 1–0.
What did Maresca say?
He said it was “quite poor” that attention on the VAR incident overshadowed City’s performance.
What action was reported against the VAR officials?
Webb said the officials involved would not officiate again until after the international break.