OH REFFIN HELL! - Pro Ref apologise to Man Utd over controversial Man City call as statement released after Haaland winner sparks furious row

Pro Ref have apologised to Manchester United for an 'error of judgement' to allow Erling Haaland's Manchester City winner in Sunday's derby clash at Old Trafford.

The organisation has provided clarity and taken accountability after it was determined that Enzo Fernandez hadn't interfered with play, despite being offside when he attempted to steer home Josko Gvardiol's cross. The initial strike from Haaland was chalked off after the assistant referee raised his flag.

Following a lengthy delay following an intervention from the video assistant referee, it was suggested that Patrick Dorgu's boot kept the Norwegian onside. It was later argued that Fernandez had interfered with play as he stood in front of Lisandro Martinez, with Haaland behind the Red Devils defender, when he narrowly missed the ball with a diving header.

A Pro Ref spokesperson said: "Following the incident in the 60th minute of Sunday's Premier League fixture between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford, we can provide clarification regarding Erling Haaland's awarded goal.

"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.

"Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement. A review of the incident will take place."

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The United contingent were left furious as the effort proved decisive in maintaining a 100 percent record for Enzo Maresca. Argentine defender Martinez said: "I think he was offside. What I can't understand is the rules, you know?

"He was there, I went to him because he was in front of me that's why Haaland was free but I want to be calm now, I want to control myself. So hard because you lost the derby, three points at home.

"Every time they come to our club, they explain one hour, hour and a half with the rules then after five or six people doing this kind of mistake in the PL is unacceptable. You have the best players, best teams in the world and now we have to go home with this injustice."

Carrick, meanwhile, risked a potential Football Association sanction with his outburst to Sky Sports in the aftermath of the defeat. The United boss: "Confused, not even confused, we've put things in place to help referees decisions, screens, referees in an office somewhere. It's more worrying about if that's the interpretation about football.

"If we've got people in place that are meant to understand a game of football or not interfering with play or impacting an attack, throwing your body at it with a defender next to him, it's really worrying for me.

"It's a staggering decision. I can't understand it once I seen it then the explanation makes it worse. The explanation that he's not interfering with play. Incredible.