Roy Keane has said Erling Haaland's winning goal in Manchester City's 1-0 victory over Manchester United should 'of course' have been disallowed by VAR, citing Enzo Fernandez's role in the build-up from an offside position. The former Manchester United captain made his comments in the Sky Sports studio shortly after the full-time whistle at Old Trafford.
Controversial winner at Old Trafford
Manchester City were reduced to ten men in the 23rd minute when Phil Foden was sent off for a petulant kick on Bruno Fernandes on the touchline. Despite the numerical disadvantage, City broke the deadlock on the hour-mark when Haaland fired the visitors in front, shortly after Marcus Rashford had struck the post with a speculative long-range free-kick.
Referee Michael Oliver initially blew his whistle for an apparent offside in the build-up to the goal, bringing sighs of relief from the home supporters. However, video assistant referee Matt Donohue overruled Oliver's call, with Haaland adjudged to have been in an onside position as Josko Gvardiol swung his deflected cross across the face of Senne Lammens' goal.
Keane and Richards criticise VAR decision
United supporters inside the ground and across social media have pointed to the role Enzo Fernandez may have played in the pivotal moment from an offside position. The former Chelsea midfielder attempted to get his head on Gvardiol's cross ahead of Lisandro Martinez, which many – including Keane – believe was clear interference in the play.
'It was a brilliant finish from Haaland, obviously there's controversy surrounding it, but it's come at him very quickly,' Keane said. 'He's dealt with it and put it in the net, absolutely brilliant finish.'
Keane also offered a broader assessment of the match: 'Do you know what? City were smarter than United. When City went down to ten men, United players started to maybe overthink it. Keep it simple, do the simple things right and City were certainly more streetwise.'
On the goal itself and Fernandez's possible interference, Keane continued: 'When you're in that position you are impacting the game, of course you are, you're in the middle of the box and you're going for the ball. Martinez has got to be worried, he thinking he [Fernandez] is his priority and not Haaland. These are such big decisions but again, let's not take anything away from Haaland. When it comes into him, there's people in front of him and there's just a little bounce in front of him.'
Richards agrees with Keane's assessment
Micah Richards was in agreement over Haaland's goal, claiming Fernandez should have been pulled up for interference while in an offside position. 'The reason he's going for the ball is because he thinks he's going to score a goal. Of course he's going to go for it,' the former City and England defender said. 'Of course he's going to go for the ball because he's thinking he's going to score a goal. He doesn't know he's offside! He's standing in the middle of the box and the ball comes in, you think you're going to score the winning goal in a derby game.'
Asked again if Fernandez had directly impacted the goal from an offside position, Richards replied: '100 per cent! I think it's been a bad day for referees, a bad day for VAR. I think they got the Phil Foden decision wrong after 23 minutes and they got this decision wrong. How you cannot say that Fernandez is not challenging… of course he is! I've been in that position as a defender where any slight movement can make the difference between going for the ball or not so of course it affects it.'
Richards also praised City's performance despite the controversial circumstances: 'I just think they got it so wrong, but that doesn't take anything away from Manchester City's performance. To go for that long with ten men is just incredible. We talk about fight, spirit, new manager and they've showed what they're about. It was a weird and wonderful game.'
