Match Officials Mic'd Up: Howard Webb explains Manchester derby VAR decision

15 Sep 2026 Pro Ref's Howard Webb explains the decision-making process for Erling Haaland's goal at Old Trafford on Sunday

Howard Webb, the Chief Refereeing Officer at Pro Ref, the organisation that manages the match officials for Premier League matches, has been speaking for the first time about the goal in the Manchester derby on Sunday.

The scorer, Manchester City ’s Erling Haaland , was initially flagged as offside, but after a VAR review found him to be onside, the goal was given despite Haaland’s team-mate Enzo Fernandez being in an offside position and interfering with play. Pro Ref has since acknowledged that it was an error to award the goal.