The officiating room at Sunday’s fixture was managed by Matt Donohue, a video assistant referee boasting significant background despite taking charge of merely four Premier League matches on the turf. Across the 2025/26 campaign, Donohue served in the primary VAR role for 24 Premier League games alongside six assignments as an assistant VAR. Current top-flight protocol relies upon semi-automated offside technology generating kick-point graphics, replacing the historic method where VAR crews manually positioned crosshairs and constructed lines. Nonetheless, this advanced technological infrastructure failed to prevent a fundamental mistake during the local derby.
Questions regarding match administration extend beyond the scoring sequence to the calculation of stoppage time at Old Trafford. The controversial strike hit the back of the net precisely at 59 minutes and 24 seconds, yet action did not resume until 63 minutes and 15 seconds. Despite this substantial four-minute disruption alongside numerous second-half stoppages, officials allocated a mere five minutes of additional time at the conclusion of the contest. Observers continue to query whether match authorities disregarded the prolonged review period when determining the final added minutes.
During the key phase of play, Manchester United full-back Patrick Dorgu positioned himself such that Erling Haaland remained legitimate when receiving the pass. However, teammate Enzo Fernandez occupied an illegal vantage point while attempting a diving header inside the six-yard box between two opposing athletes. This movement visibly altered the Manchester United goalkeeper’s actions, forcing Martinez to elevate his arms for a potential header and disrupting his stance prior to Haaland’s strike, meaning Lammens was influenced regardless of physical contact. Consequently, the strike ought to have been nullified due to Fernandez interfering with play from an illegal location.
Assistant referees initially signaled against Erling Haaland, yet video reviews revealed his position was legal before switching attention toward Enzo Fernandez. The video team verified Fernandez’s improper positioning but became erroneously preoccupied with whether his head grazed the leather. Social media communication from Match Centre clarified that “The VAR also deemed that while in an offside position, Fernandez didn’t play the ball.” To properly resolve the situation, protocol required VAR to instruct field referee Michael Oliver to conduct a pitchside monitor evaluation to assess subjective interference.
Following the final whistle, refereeing authority Pro Ref—formerly identified as PGMOL or PGMO—publicly acknowledged an “error of judgment” in permitting Manchester City’s lone goal. Their official summary stated that “On this occasion, the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of his position.” This mistake handed Manchester City a 1-0 triumph over their rivals at Old Trafford, leaving critical queries regarding video review execution without complete answers.
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