Manchester derby at Old Trafford

Manchester City beat Manchester United 1-0 in the September 13 Manchester derby at Old Trafford despite playing more than an hour with 10 men after Phil Foden was sent off in the 23rd minute for kicking United captain Bruno Fernandes. Erling Haaland scored the decisive goal on the hour mark from Josko Gvardiol's deflected cross -- his ninth career goal in Manchester derbies -- but the goal was mired in controversy: it was initially ruled offside, then awarded after VAR determined Haaland himself was onside, without properly assessing whether teammate Enzo Fernandez, who was in an offside position and attempted to play the ball first, had interfered with play. The win extended new City manager Enzo Maresca's unbeaten start since succeeding Pep Guardiola, while United, now 13th in the table and eight points behind leaders City and Arsenal, suffered their second defeat in four league games under manager Michael Carrick.

Follow this story on the globe Share

As it ran

16 September 2026

• Manchester derby VAR error caused by ‘tunnel vision’: Pro Ref chief Webb Al Jazeera
• Maresca defends VAR while lamenting row dominating win at Manchester United Al Jazeera

14 September 2026

• Manchester derby VAR officials stood down from weekend Premier League games Al Jazeera

13 September 2026

• Maresca’s first big test as City travel to United for Manchester derby Al Jazeera
• Haaland goal sees 10-men City beat United in controversial Manchester derby Al Jazeera
• Haaland goal sees 10-man City beat United in controversial Manchester derby Al Jazeera
• VAR got goal award wrong in Manchester derby, says refs’ body Al Jazeera