Wayne Rooney and Danny Murphy have criticised the officiating in the Manchester derby, saying they are “baffled” that Erling Haaland’s decisive goal for Manchester City was not overturned by VAR, even as both pundits agreed that Phil Foden’s red card during the same match was the right call.
Why do Rooney and Murphy think the goal decision was wrong?
Speaking on Match of the Day, the former England internationals said the incident leading to Haaland’s winner contained a clear enough issue that video assistant referees should have stepped in to advise the on-field referee to review it. Rooney in particular described the failure to overturn the goal as difficult to understand, arguing that the technology exists specifically to correct such moments and was not used as intended in this case.
It’s baffling that decision wasn’t overturned by VAR.
Murphy echoed those concerns, suggesting the outcome of a high-profile Manchester derby should not hinge on an officiating error that basic video review protocols are designed to prevent. Their comments add to a broader pattern of scrutiny facing VAR in the Premier League this season, with pundits and managers repeatedly questioning consistency in how marginal or contentious incidents are handled.
Was Phil Foden’s red card justified?
Despite their frustration over the disallowed-goal controversy, both Rooney and Murphy were united in believing that Phil Foden’s dismissal during the derby was correctly given. They viewed the sending-off as a clear-cut decision that did not require the same level of debate as the disputed goal, indicating that the red card itself was not part of their criticism of the match officials.
What does this mean for Manchester City and VAR scrutiny?
The result saw Haaland’s goal stand as the difference in a Manchester derby that already carried heavy weight given the rivalry between the two clubs, and the pundits’ comments are likely to intensify calls for greater clarity from officiating bodies over VAR interventions. With Foden’s red card accepted as correct, the main lingering controversy from the match centres squarely on the disallowed-goal review process and whether officials followed proper protocol in the moment that decided the game.
