Wayne Rooney gives scathing VAR review after Man Utd apology from Pro Ref - 'sick of it'

· Mirror

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney is the latest footballing figure to hit out at VAR after Erling Haaland's controversial goal stood

Wayne Rooney has admitted he is "sick of" VAR after their decision to overrule the on-field decision and allow Erling Haaland's controversial Manchester derby winner. The technology did prove that the Manchester City forward was onside, but decided that Enzo Fernandez was not interfering with play despite making an attempt to head the ball.

The Argentine was quite clearly beyond the last defender, which has seen outrage over the U-turn performed by the officials. Rooney is the latest to be left bewildered by their interpretation of the incident and he was particularly critical of VAR.

Speaking on BBC Match of the Day, Rooney said:

> "I'm just so sick of this VAR. I think it's horrendous. All the emotion of the game, the energy which the game's played with.

> "And to not see that and recognise that Enzo Fernandez is in an offside position is... anyone who's played the game at any level understands that and knows that he's in an offside position. So to get it so wrong, it's just baffling."

Hours before Rooney's verdict, Pro Ref, formerly the PGMOL, released a statement and confirmed they had made contact with United to "acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement".

Their statement read:

> "The on-field decision was offside against Erling Haaland – that was checked by VAR and he was found to be in an onside position.

> "In the same attack, 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."

Michael Carrick, Rio Ferdinand and Lisandro Martinez are just a few names associated with United angered by the decision. Even those with an unbiased view on matters could see the error made, with Danny Murphy explaining clearly why the goal should not have stood.

He said:

> "Haaland is proven to be onside, but Enzo Fernandez, he's the one we all think is offside. And the reason is, Martinez has got Haaland - that's his player, you can see him focused on him.

Erling Haaland fired in unchallenged at the back post after Enzo Fernandez impacted Lisandro Martinez

> "If Enzo Fernandez doesn't make this run, [Martinez] sticks with Haaland. But of course, as a defender, he gets back centrally to try and stop him scoring, which then means Haaland is free.

> "The second person it affects with this goal is the goalkeeper. You can see him ready for the header because Enzo Fernandez is trying to score, he doesn't get a touch but then [Lammens'] arms are down [not] ready for the Haaland finish.

> "It makes it so simple, and so obvious. But somehow, and we don't really know how, they've missed the impact Enzo Fernandez has on the players around him which therefore means it should have been disallowed.

> "It's a bad one, it is a really bad one. Generally we try here to see them given the benefit of the doubt, but you can't on this one, I'm afraid."

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