Wayne Rooney blasts ‘horrendous’ decision in Manchester derby: ‘I’m so sick of this’ | Football

Wayne Rooney is ‘so sick’ of ‘horrendous’ VAR after the latest error in Manchester United’s defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, which he labelled ‘baffling’.

An Erling Haaland goal after an hour was the difference between the sides at Old Trafford, after City survived an early red card for Phil Foden to win 1-0.

Foden was sent off for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes after the Portuguese fouled him and kicked him when the England international was on the ground.

That was a controversial moment, as was Haaland’s goal, which was initially flagged as offside but overturned and given by VAR.

Both Haaland and Enzo Fernandez initially looked offside but after review it was adjudged that Haaland was onside and that Fernandez was not making an attempt to play the ball.

Very clearly Fernandez was making an attempt to play the ball as he threw himself towards it in the middle of the goal, attracting the close attention of both centre-back Lisandro Martinez and goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

The Professional Refereeing Organisation (Pro Ref) has since acknowledged that the decision was wrong and the goal should not have stood.

Rooney was left fuming with the situation, confused as to how they could get an obvious call so badly wrong and remains generally very unhappy with what VAR has done to the game.

‘I’m just so sick of this VAR, I think it’s horrendous,’ the Manchester United legend said on Match of the Day 2. ‘It takes all the emotion out of the game, the energy which the game’s played with.

‘To not see that and recognise that Enzo Fernandez is in an offside position. Anyone who’s played the game at any level understands that and knows that hes in an offside position. To get it so wrong is just baffling.’

Former Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder Danny Murphy was alongside Rooney and added: ‘It is a really bad one.

‘We try here to give them the benefit of the doubt, but you can’t on this one, I’m afraid.’

It was not come as much relief for the Red Devils that Pro Ref – formerly PGMOL – have now admitted a mistake was made in the form of a statement on Sunday evening.

‘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 statement reads.

‘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.’

The statement added: ‘Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement,’ the statement continued.

‘A review of the incident will take place.’

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick said of the incident: ‘The explanation I got was he wasn’t interfering with play, so I just don’t get it. I really don’t get it.

‘I can’t understand how they’re trying to help referees and putting so many layers behind them with so many people, so many bodies, so many screens, and so many whatever offices they are to try and come up with the right decisions.

‘If that’s how the rules are interpreted, that you’re not interfering with play because you’ve thrown yourself at the ball six yards from goal and pretty much nearly touched it, which then Licha [Martinez] has to react from.

‘On top of that, the line was a bit dubious where they drew the line to start with. It’s worrying if that’s really how the game’s seen by those who are officiating it.’

MORE: ‘It was obvious’ – Gary Neville questions Michael Carrick decision after Man Utd defeat to Man City

MORE: Phil Foden trolls Man Utd fans as he leaves Old Trafford after Man City victory

MORE: Micah Richards slams ’embarrassing’ Man Utd star after Man City defeat