Roy Keane delivers verdict on controversial Erling Haaland goal against Man Utd | Football

Roy Keane says Erling Haaland’s winner in Manchester City’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United should ‘of course’ have been disallowed by VAR for the part Enzo Fernandez played in the goal.

City were reduced to ten men in the 23rd minute as Phil Foden was given his marching orders for a petulant kick on Bruno Fernandes on the touchline at Old Trafford.

But City dug deep and broke the deadlock after Marcus Rashford had struck the post with a speculative long-range free-kick, with Haaland firing the visitors in front on the hour-mark.

There were initially sighs of relief at the Theatre of Dreams as referee Michael Oliver blew his whistle for an apparent offside in the build-up to the goal.

Video assistant referee Matt Donohue overruled Oliver’s call, though, with Haaland adjudged to have been in an onside position as Josko Gvardiol swung his deflected cross across the face of Senne Lammens’ goal.

However, apoplectic 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 ex-United captain Keane – believe was a 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 in the Sky Sports studio shortly after the full-time whistle.

‘He’s dealt with it and put it in the net, absolutely brilliant finish.

‘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.’

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 chimed in.

‘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.

‘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.’

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