The derby was decided by an error nobody will take back
Manchester United 0–1 Manchester City. Referees' body Pro Ref has apologized to United and admitted VAR was wrong to award Erling Haaland's winner (7)(14). Not a judgment call. An error.
Pro Ref contacted United directly to acknowledge the mistake (15). Enzo Maresca saw it the other way: "It was completely clear that the goal was not offside" (14). The apology does not move the table.
You lost to ten men at home
Phil Foden was sent off in the first half. City played most of the derby a man down and still won at Old Trafford (10).
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United are 13th on 4 points from 4 games. That is the part that stings more than the VAR call.
What the players said
Youri Tielemans did not hide it. Everyone in the dressing room was disappointed, and frustrated at failing to beat a ten-man City (8).
Lisandro Martínez went harder. He slammed the officiating: "Elk seizoen komen die scheidsrechters een uur lang de regels aan ons uitleggen" (9).
Neville and Keane split over Bruno and Foden
Gary Neville did not like what Bruno Fernandes did in the Foden incident. "You do try and get players sent off. I know that's not right, but it's what happens in the game. It's never going to change. I don't like it" (17).
Roy Keane hit back at Neville in the post-match debate (17).
Carrick is under pressure now
Michael Carrick is feeling it after the derby loss (15). The result came with a Pro Ref apology attached, which does not help him much.
Fulham away, Sunday 17:30 CEST, is next.
Dortmund move for Louis Page
Borussia Dortmund have joined the race for Leicester City youngster Louis Page, United's top young target (1). Several Premier League rivals are in too (1).
Page is the one being talked about. No agreement with anyone yet.
United keep pushing for Eric García
United are reported to be determined to sign Eric García from Barcelona, and are lining up a big salary offer to get it done (12).
The left-back gap Balde could have filled
United explored a summer move for Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde but the two clubs wanted very different deals, and the chance went (5).
Carrick still does not have his long-term answer on the left (5).
Meulensteen says United missed a striker
Rene Meulensteen thinks United made a transfer error by not going for Ollie Watkins (11). "Czy Ollie Watkins mógł być tym zawodnikiem? Prawdopodobnie tak. Mówimy o sprawdzonym napastniku, który wie, jak strzelać gole i rozumie Premier League" (11).
Fan reactions
The mood on r/reddevils is fury at Pro Ref, with Wayne Rooney's Match of the Day takedown of City's goal doing the rounds. The apology is the story fans keep returning to, and Simon Stone's confirmation that the goal was a mistake is the post everyone is passing around.
