Wayne Rooney slams VAR after Haaland goal controversy in Manchester derby

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has launched a fierce attack on the video assistant referee (VAR) system, calling for its abolition following the controversy over Erling Haaland’s goal in the Manchester derby.

Manchester City defeated rivals United 1-0 with a goal from Haaland, which was initially ruled out for offside before VAR intervened and allowed it to stand as the match’s only goal.

However, debate intensified after the match when the referees’ committee in England admitted the decision to award the goal was incorrect, explaining that City’s Enzo Fernandez was in an offside position and interfered with play before Haaland scored.

In his analysis of the match, as reported by the Mirror, Rooney said: “I am completely fed up with VAR. I think it’s disastrous because it takes away all the emotion, excitement, and energy from football.”

He added: “Not seeing that Enzo Fernandez was offside, or failing to realize it—something anyone who has played football at any level would know—and then making such a wrong decision is astonishing and bewildering.”

The controversial decisions in the derby were not limited to Haaland’s goal. The match also saw Manchester City’s Phil Foden sent off early in the first half after a clash with United’s Bruno Fernandes.

Although Manchester City manager Enzo Marisca confirmed that Foden deserved the red card, he also believed that Bruno Fernandes should have been sent off for the same incident.