Manchester City defeats Manchester United 1-0 in derby after VAR review

Manchester City ground out a 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford on September 13, extending their perfect start to the Premier League season under new manager Enzo Maresca. The winning goal came from Erling Haaland in the 60th minute, but not before a VAR review that has reignited familiar debates about officiating in English football.

The result leaves City sitting second in the Premier League with 12 points from four games, all wins. United, meanwhile, remain stuck in 13th place with just four points from the same number of matches.

Ten men, one Haaland

City’s path to three points was anything but comfortable. Phil Foden was sent off in the 23rd minute for violent conduct after kicking Bruno Fernandes, leaving Maresca’s side to play more than two-thirds of the match a man down.

The Norwegian striker latched onto a cross from Josko Gvardiol to find the net on the hour mark. It was Haaland’s ninth goal in Manchester derbies, tying him with Sergio Aguero for the most by any City player in the fixture’s history.

Nine derby goals. The 199th meeting between these two clubs has produced plenty of legendary moments, and Haaland is now level with the man who scored arguably the most famous goal in Premier League history, the title-clinching strike against QPR in 2012.

The VAR controversy

The goal nearly didn’t stand. Officials initially flagged Haaland’s strike for offside, which would have wiped the scoreline clean and changed the complexion of the match entirely.

A VAR review overturned the decision, ruling that Haaland had timed his run correctly and was onside when the ball was played. The goal was awarded, City celebrated, and United’s bench looked unconvinced.

What followed after the final whistle made things messier. The refereeing body Pro Ref issued an acknowledgment that a significant error had been made during the review process. Specifically, they admitted that VAR should have prompted a closer look at Enzo Fernandez’s position, which appeared to be offside.

The caveat: Fernandez did not touch the ball. The question is whether his positioning interfered with play, a judgment call that sits in one of football’s grayer areas.

Maresca’s perfect start

For Enzo Maresca, the win represents a continuation of what has been a flawless opening chapter to his City tenure. Four matches, four victories, 12 points.

United’s struggles paint a contrasting picture. Sitting in 13th with four points from four games represents a start that would test the patience of even the most optimistic supporter base. Losing a derby at home to a side playing with ten men for over an hour will intensify the pressure on the club’s current direction.