Manchester United's frustrations in a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City were compounded when Pro Ref, the refereeing body formerly known as PGMOL, issued an official apology for a VAR error that allowed Erling Haaland's winning goal to stand.
The Manchester derby at Old Trafford swung City's way in the second half when Haaland found space at the far post to net what proved to be the decisive strike. Referee Michael Oliver had initially ruled the goal out for offside, but after a VAR review the decision was overturned and the goal was awarded.
On closer inspection, replays suggested the original call on the pitch should have stood, prompting the governing body to accept fault and apologize to United for the error later that Sunday evening. The mistake, however, will not alter the result, meaning City left Old Trafford with all three points.
Adding to the confusion around the goal, City midfielder Enzo Fernandez was also in an offside position during the buildup, appearing to attempt to play the ball with his head just ahead of Argentine compatriot Lisandro Martinez, who was forced to hesitate. Officials determined that Fernandez did not interfere with play, so his positioning did not affect the outcome of the review.
The defeat was doubly painful for United, as it came after they had been reduced to fighting from a numerical disadvantage following a red card shown to City's Phil Foden in the first half for a kick on Bruno Fernandes during a heated exchange between the two players.
For United boss Michael Carrick, the loss marked his first defeat as a manager in the Manchester derby, and it was also the second league defeat of the season for his side, adding further pressure as the campaign progresses.
The episode has thrust the spotlight back onto Pro Ref, the rebranded successor to PGMOL, which now oversees refereeing standards and VAR decisions across English football's top competitions, including the Premier League, the EFL, and FA competitions. The organization is funded jointly by the Premier League, EFL, and FA, and the rebrand from PGMOL took effect at the start of the 2026-27 season.
Pro Ref's remit includes reviewing contentious officiating incidents like the one that unfolded in the derby, and offering explanations for why match officials and VAR teams arrived at particular decisions. The body is led by Howard Webb, the former Premier League referee who has headed the organization since August 2022.
While the apology to United will offer little consolation given the result stands, it underscores the ongoing scrutiny facing VAR and officiating decisions in English football's biggest fixtures. The Manchester derby, always a high-stakes and emotionally charged occasion, once again became a flashpoint for debate over the reliability and consistency of video review technology.
United will now have to regroup quickly, having suffered a setback both on the scoreboard and in terms of squad discipline with Foden's dismissal counterpart also affecting City's approach in the second half. As the season continues, questions over officiating consistency are likely to remain a talking point, particularly as Pro Ref continues to establish its role and credibility following the rebrand from PGMOL.
Based on reporting from Standard Football.