Michael Owen was left astonished by a major VAR mistake that shaped the result of a controversial Manchester derby between fierce rivals United and City, with the visitors at Old Trafford profiting from a baffling decision. Erling Haaland put the ball in the net, but Enzo Fernandez had launched himself towards it from an offside position, with Owen telling GOAL: “What is more obvious than a diving header?!”

Haaland scored the winner despite Fernandez being offside

The incident under scrutiny came on the hour mark, when prolific Norwegian striker Haaland smashed a finish into the roof of the net from a tight angle. The flag was raised against him at first, halting the celebrations, but a review later ruled that the goal should stand.

City’s deadly No.9 was being played onside by the boot of United full-back Patrick Dorgu, as he turned a low ball from the left across the face of goal, and Haaland applied his finish with his usual precision. Fernandez, though, became another major talking point.

The World Cup-winning Argentine never got back onside after taking up a position as City’s furthest player forward, and he tried to meet the ball with his head as it flashed beyond him. Fellow Argentine and domestic rival Lisandro Martinez stepped towards the midfielder once it became clear there could be some desperate defending required. The South American centre-back had to ignore Haaland drifting in behind him.

The match officials, including those in the VAR booth, collectively decided that the goal should be awarded. United legend Gary Neville, who was on co-commentary duty for Sky Sports, said after watching the replays himself that an apology would likely follow because such a huge decision in such a high-profile fixture was plainly incorrect.

Ex-Man Utd striker Owen delivers his verdict

Owen told GOAL, ahead of returning to presenting duties on ‘Match Officials Mic’d Up’ alongside referees chief Howard Webb, when asked for his opinion on the incident: “I've sat in the VAR hub and gone through lots of decisions and it isn't easy. I mean it's 10 times harder than people think.

“However, this was as straightforward as it gets really. I simply don't know how they can come to this decision. What I do know is that the linesman gave offside for Haaland. So he gave offside for Haaland, I know that for a fact. So that can only have distorted their view in terms of they think, ‘right well we've got to check for Haaland, let's draw the lines, oh my word he's onside’.

“But how they can't check, or if they do check, how they can't pull it up for an offside from Fernandez - he clearly makes a movement towards the ball. What movement is more obvious than a diving header! It's not a case of has he tried to touch that or not? He's flung himself for a diving header. It absolutely beggars belief. It doesn't get any more straightforward in my eyes.”

Carrick questions and statement from Pro Ref

United manager Michael Carrick said afterwards, with the game finishing 1-0 in City’s favour: “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.”

As Neville had predicted, a statement from Pro Ref then followed. It said: “It was established that Enzo Fernandez did not play the ball and therefore that makes any offside offence subjective, however, on this occasion, the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review.

“Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement. A review of the incident will take place.”

Man Utd left empty-handed as 10-man City claim points

That offered little comfort to United, as the match was already over and they came away with no points despite playing for more than 65 minutes against 10 men. Phil Foden was sent off early after a clash with Red Devils captain Bruno Fernandes, with the City playmaker judged to have kicked out into his opponent’s stomach.

It is not the first time this season - even though the campaign is still only a few weeks old - that VAR has made unwanted headlines and dominated the post-match debate. Former England star Owen is among those calling for more clarity and greater consistency going forward.