Lisandro Martínez calls Haaland goal decision an injustice after controversial Manchester derby

Manchester United lost the derby. They also lost their patience with the officials. A 1-0 defeat to Manchester City at Old Trafford on September 13 turned on a single VAR decision that has since become the latest flashpoint in English football’s never-ending argument about technology, offside interpretations, and whether anyone actually understands the rules anymore. Erling Haaland’s 59th-minute goal, initially chalked off for offside, was reinstated after a VAR review determined that Enzo Fernández, who was standing in an offside position, did not interfere with play. United defender Lisandro Martínez was unequivocal in his assessment of that call. “I think he was offside. Now we have to go home with this injustice.” What actually happened Phil Foden received a red card in the opening stages, leaving City to play with ten men for more than an hour. That should have tilted the contest decisively in United’s favor. Haaland found the net just before the hour mark, capitalizing on a deflected cross from Josko Gvardiol, only for the linesman’s flag to go up. The on-field call was offside. Then VAR intervened. The review determined that Haaland had been played onside by Patrick Dorgu. T...