Refereeing controversy in the derby, "Barsa" limited to 4 goals
Pro Ref admitted that the validation of Haaland's goal was due to a VAR error and apologized to Manchester United.
Refereeing controversy in the derby, "Barça" limited to 4 goals
"Manchester United" – "Manchester City" 0:1
Goal:
Haaland, 60 (0:1)
"Manchester United": Lammens, Maguire, Martínez, Dorgu, Dalot, Tielemans (Šeško, 67), Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford (Zirkzee, 83), Mbeumo, Cunha
"Manchester City": Donnarumma, Rúben Dias, Guéhi, Gvardiol, Matheus Nunes, Anderson, Fernandes (O'Reilly, 82), Cherki (Ndiaye, 46), Semenyo, Foden, Haaland
Warnings: Maguire, 81 – Gvardiol, 79, Fernandes, 80
Dismissal: Foden, 23
Husanov remained on the bench for the second consecutive match – Maresca continues to trust Matheus Nunes at right-back. Meanwhile, Carrick fielded Dorgu on the left flank in place of the injured Shaw.
The first half of the Manchester derby was not rich in dangerous chances – the most memorable moment was not related to an attack on goal, but to the opponents clashing with each other. In the middle of the first half, the calm of the game was broken by a clash involving Bruno Fernandes and Foden.
In the 23rd minute, Bruno tried to take the ball away from Foden near the touchline and kicked him down. He also kicked his opponent, who was lying on the ground, in the back area.
Foden could not tolerate this and, while lying down, kicked Bruno in the stomach, but head referee Michael Oliver ignored the Portuguese midfielder's action and only punished the English player — a straight red.
Even after gaining a numerical advantage, "MU" could not create many chances; the only shot on target in the first half was Lisandro Martínez's shot in the 7th minute, which went straight into Donnarumma's hands. Also, Rashford's shot at the end of the half and Mainoo's shot at the beginning of the second half hit the post. After these situations, "MU" was expected to use their numerical advantage and overwhelm the opponent, but this did not happen.
In the 60th minute, another controversial episode occurred. Gvardiol made a cross from the flank, and Haaland, standing near the far post, put the ball into the net with one touch. Initially, the referees on the pitch ruled the Norwegian striker offside and disallowed the goal. However, VAR intervened in the situation, indicated that Haaland was in an onside position, and the goal was allowed.