Manchester United great Rio Ferdinand has launched a scathing attack on Premier League officials after Erling Haaland’s contentious goal was allowed to stand during Manchester City’s derby-day victory, even as he conceded that Michael Carrick’s players failed to make the most of City’s second-half sending-off.
The goal, which proved pivotal in City’s win under new head coach Enzo Maresca, has reignited the long-running debate over how VAR interprets offside interference. Ferdinand insists Lisandro Martinez was left with no choice but to abandon his defensive shape and close down the wrong man.
Martinez left with ‘no choice’, says Ferdinand
Writing on X in the aftermath of the match, Ferdinand argued that Martinez had done exactly what any well-coached defender is trained to do — track the nearest attacking threat, regardless of whether that player appeared to be marginally offside.
His issue was not with the United defender’s decision-making, but with what followed: Haaland ghosting in unmarked at the far post while match officials adjudged there had been no interference with play worth chalking the goal off for.
Ferdinand did not hold back in his assessment, using the moment to question the entire logic behind how VAR assesses offside interference in real time.
His argument centred on the split-second nature of defending — a defender cannot pause the game to consult a replay before deciding who to close down.
“Martinez has to go defend the man nearest the goal whether he believes he’s offside or not. In split seconds, you make the decision.
“He goes to defend Fernandez who then attempts to play the ball. Deluded from VAR! Regardless. Utd never created enough chances once City went to 10 men,” Ferdinand said, as quoted by Sportskeeda.
Even as he tore into the officiating, the former England centre-back was careful not to let his old club entirely off the hook.
City were reduced to ten men during the game, handing United a numerical advantage that, by Ferdinand’s own admission, they were unable to convert into a positive result.
City’s resilience a further boost for Maresca
For Manchester City, the result — and the manner of it — will be viewed as further evidence that life under Maresca is settling into a productive rhythm.
Taking charge of a squad still built largely around the principles of his predecessor, the Italian has been tasked with retaining City’s identity as relentless, front-foot football while stamping his own methods onto the side.
Seeing his team dig in and see out a win with ten men against their fiercest rivals will offer Maresca a timely marker of the character within his squad.
Whatever adjustments Maresca makes to City’s build-up play, Haaland’s movement at the back post looks set to remain a non-negotiable weapon in the team’s armoury.
After the match, City move on with three more points to their name under Maresca, while United are left to reflect on a missed opportunity that home advantage and a red card should, in theory, have been enough to secure.
