Manchester derby VAR error hands Erling Haaland winner
A catastrophic VAR mistake in the Manchester derby saw Manchester City beat Manchester United 1-0 after officials rushed a review and missed an offside.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- A massive VAR error occurred in the Manchester derby where Manchester City defeated Manchester United 1-0.
- VAR Matt Donohue rushed the review and inexplicably failed to notice Enzo Fernandez was three yards offside.
- The Premier League has pushed for faster VAR decisions, reducing average review time from 46 to 36 seconds.
- Refereeing chief Howard Webb faces ongoing pressure to balance review speed with absolute accuracy.
"Quick, quick, quick, quick! Go, go, go, go, go!" These frantic words from video assistant referee Matt Donohue as he rushed through a crucial review in the Manchester derby highlighted an alarming lack of composure. While Donohue was likely attempting to work as efficiently as possible, his haste resulted in one of the most catastrophic VAR errors seen in the Premier League.
The incident unfolded when Donohue and assistant VAR Blake Antrobus failed to spot that Enzo Fernandez was three yards offside before he attempted a header. The goal stood, allowing Manchester City to secure a 1-0 victory over Manchester United and igniting intense debate over whether football has sacrificed accuracy for speed.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Match officials face relentless pressure from fans, pundits, and stakeholders demanding faster VAR decisions to cut down on frustrating match delays. A Premier League survey highlighted review speed as the primary area for improvement, pushing officials to work under immense time constraints. However, speed should never compromise the integrity of the decision-making process.
"To make a decision in 10, 20 seconds is not easy for them."
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca expressed sympathy for the officials during his Wednesday press conference, despite his team benefiting directly from the blunder. Refereeing chief Howard Webb has successfully lowered overall review times from an average of 46 seconds to 36 seconds per game, yet high-profile mistakes demonstrate the fragile nature of this balancing act.
From an analytical perspective, rushing through a VAR protocol often leads to skipped steps in the review chain. Donohue instructed the replay operator to stop immediately at Josko Gvardiol's cross without assessing the wider attacking phase, thereby missing Fernandez's initial offside position entirely. This structural flaw proves that prioritizing rapid turnaround times without methodological checks can severely undermine the reliability of video officiating.
Furthermore, the breakdown in communication between the main VAR and assistant VAR Blake Antrobus exposed vulnerabilities in the checks-and-balances protocol. Despite extensive training programs designed to cultivate specialized video officials like Donohue—who has officiated 65 Premier League matches—high-stress environments continue to test the absolute limits of human and technological coordination.
Source: BBC Sport
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