Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has described the decision to allow Erling Haaland’s controversial winner for Manchester City as “nonsensical”, insisting he cannot understand how the goal was deemed legal.
Haaland struck in the 60th minute at Old Trafford to give 10-man Man City a 1-0 victory – but United were furious after Enzo Fernández appeared to interfere with play from an offside position before the striker converted at the back post.
The off-field refereeing body Pro Ref later conceded that the decision was incorrect and that the goal should have been disallowed.
‘Bit dubious’
Carrick was particularly critical of the explanation he received from the officials.
“The explanation I got was that he wasn’t interfering with play,” the United boss told Sky Sports after the match, in which Phil Foden saw red after kicking out at United talisman Bruno Fernandes.
“I just don’t get it, I really don’t get it.
“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 [Lisandro Martínez] has to react from.
“On top of that, the [offside] was a bit dubious – where we drew the line to start with.
“It’s worrying if that’s really how the game is seen by those who are officiating it.”
Martínez shaken
United defender Martínez was equally frustrated, arguing that Fernández’s position directly affected his ability to defend the cross.
“I think [Fernández] was offside,” Martinez said.
“What I can’t understand is the rules. He was there! I went to him because he was in front of me. That’s why Haaland was free at the back.
“I want to be calm but it is so hard. Every season, the officials come to our club and spend an hour explaining the rules and they look so confident with that.
“Then, five or six people [officials] doing this kind of mistake in the Premier League is unacceptable. We have to go home with this injustice.”
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