Man United Awarded Equalizer by VAR as Offside Marcus Rashford is Deemed NOT to have Interfered
- last year
Manchester United profited from a hugely contentious VAR offside decision involving Marcus Rashford as they came from behind to win their derby with Manchester City.
Bruno Fernandes fired them level in the 78th minute after Rashford was adjudged by the officials not to be interfering with play despite clearly standing in an offside position.
Although Rashford moved toward the ball as it was played through, he didn't touch it and therefore was technically not offside before Fernandes scored.
It sparked furious protests from City players after the goal was awarded by VAR and at the final whistle. Their mood was not helped by Rashford's winner from Alejandro Garnacho's cross minutes later to move United to within one point of Pep Guardiola's side.
The forward appeared about to latch on to the pass, but instead kept alongside the ball, cleverly ensuring that he did not get a touch on it to keep the play alive.
As a result of his intervention, both Manuel Akanji and Kyle Walker were drawn to on-rushing England forward, leaving Bruno Fernandes able to steal a march and get on the end of the pass instead.
Rashford left the ball for his team-mate, and Fernandes obliged by converting emphatically beyond Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson who was racing off his line to close down the 25-year-old.
Having played a hugely influential role in the build-up to the first, Rashford then scored the second himself to mark nine consecutive games at Old Trafford with a goal.
He showed great composure to convert inside the six-yard box from a cross across the penalty area from Garnacho to make it 2-1, with United seeing out a memorable derby win from a losing position.
As a result, United move within a point of City, and only six points behind leaders Arsenal who have a game in hand on both Manchester sides.
Following the game, Pep Guardiola insisted that Rashford's role impacted his defense, saying: 'Marcus Rashford is offside, Bruno Fernandes is not. Rashford distracted our keeper and center defenders. It is what it is. We know where we play. It is difficult for the referees in these stadiums.'
And United boss Erik ten Hag admitted that the rule made it easy to see his opponent's point of view on the issue.
He added: 'I can see it from the other side as well. The rules, it's a confusing moment for the back line of the opponent. The rules say Marcus didn't touch the ball and he wasn't interfering. Bruno came from the back – but I can see it from the other side.'
And fans and pundits were quick to make their feelings known on the goal, with the vast majority of viewers rushing to point out that the wrong decision was ultimately made.
Chris Perry claimed: 'That goal has to be offside, if Rashford isn't there then Kyle Walker makes a challenge on Fernandes. Rashford looks like he's about to shoot so Walker goes back towards the goal.'
Chris Sutton agreed, adding: 'Manchester United brilliant result but they get away with that as they have done over the y
Bruno Fernandes fired them level in the 78th minute after Rashford was adjudged by the officials not to be interfering with play despite clearly standing in an offside position.
Although Rashford moved toward the ball as it was played through, he didn't touch it and therefore was technically not offside before Fernandes scored.
It sparked furious protests from City players after the goal was awarded by VAR and at the final whistle. Their mood was not helped by Rashford's winner from Alejandro Garnacho's cross minutes later to move United to within one point of Pep Guardiola's side.
The forward appeared about to latch on to the pass, but instead kept alongside the ball, cleverly ensuring that he did not get a touch on it to keep the play alive.
As a result of his intervention, both Manuel Akanji and Kyle Walker were drawn to on-rushing England forward, leaving Bruno Fernandes able to steal a march and get on the end of the pass instead.
Rashford left the ball for his team-mate, and Fernandes obliged by converting emphatically beyond Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson who was racing off his line to close down the 25-year-old.
Having played a hugely influential role in the build-up to the first, Rashford then scored the second himself to mark nine consecutive games at Old Trafford with a goal.
He showed great composure to convert inside the six-yard box from a cross across the penalty area from Garnacho to make it 2-1, with United seeing out a memorable derby win from a losing position.
As a result, United move within a point of City, and only six points behind leaders Arsenal who have a game in hand on both Manchester sides.
Following the game, Pep Guardiola insisted that Rashford's role impacted his defense, saying: 'Marcus Rashford is offside, Bruno Fernandes is not. Rashford distracted our keeper and center defenders. It is what it is. We know where we play. It is difficult for the referees in these stadiums.'
And United boss Erik ten Hag admitted that the rule made it easy to see his opponent's point of view on the issue.
He added: 'I can see it from the other side as well. The rules, it's a confusing moment for the back line of the opponent. The rules say Marcus didn't touch the ball and he wasn't interfering. Bruno came from the back – but I can see it from the other side.'
And fans and pundits were quick to make their feelings known on the goal, with the vast majority of viewers rushing to point out that the wrong decision was ultimately made.
Chris Perry claimed: 'That goal has to be offside, if Rashford isn't there then Kyle Walker makes a challenge on Fernandes. Rashford looks like he's about to shoot so Walker goes back towards the goal.'
Chris Sutton agreed, adding: 'Manchester United brilliant result but they get away with that as they have done over the y