Howard Webb points blame for Manchester derby offside controversy as Pro Ref take action

· Mirror

Manchester United's 1-0 loss to rivals City came courtesy of a goal from Erling Haaland which was initially ruled out for offside before VAR wrongly awarded it, seemingly forgetting the law

Webb added that the officials back in Stockley Park got 'tunnel vision' in focusing on Haaland's part in the goal, with colleagues unable to pull him back out to look at the wider picture.

He added: "And when the VAR starts their check, they see through the use of the semi-automated offside technology, that Haaland, when he's played, is actually onside by three centimetres, played on by [Patrick] Dorgu on the far side, and the VAR gets super focused on Haaland. He establishes he's onside, he thinks that's a good goal, Haaland's not offside, as was thought initially.

> "But of course, when he then runs it back through the full APP, he doesn't truly evaluate the full impact of Fernandez's position. He has a look to see if he touches the ball, because then that relates to potentially knocking it to Haaland, who goes on to score. He doesn't touch the ball, but he doesn't truly evaluate other elements of offside. In that moment, he gets tunnel vision. He gets focused on Haaland, and it's down to the rest of his team to pull him out of that tunnel, and unfortunately, that didn't happen on this occasion."

Webb then emphasised: "We'll review it, reflect upon it, and try to take the learning forward to prevent this unusual type of error from happening again."

City took the lead in the derby after they were reduced to 10 men. Tempers flared in the 23rd minute, as Foden reacted to a kick from Fernandes by lashing out himself.

On-field referee Michael Oliver quickly made up his mind and it was the City player who was punished. "I agree with the red card for Phil Foden for violent conduct," Webb concurred. "He kicks out with force into the upper body of Bruno Fernandes.

> "We saw a player sent off for Aston Villa earlier in the season. [Joao] Gomes was sent off for a very similar thing, kicking with the studs into the body. And that's seen by the referee on the field, and that's the on-field call, a red card for Foden.

> "Now, when you look at the footage, there is that petulant kick by Bruno Fernandes into the backside of Foden. It is more petulant than violent.

> "To be violent conduct, it has to have excessive force or brutality, and when you look at that, particularly in full speed, it doesn't have those elements. So therefore, this would be a yellow card offence. And the VAR can't step in to recommend the referee looks at the screen to give a yellow card.

> "Of course, if all of this is missed and nothing is given against Foden, then the VAR could step in so the referee could see Foden's actions for a possible red card, and they would capture Fernandes' yellow card action. But because the referee gave the red card on the field, that option is not open to the VAR."

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