Manchester Derby: Controversial Foden red card, VAR confusion overshadow City win over United
By Luke Oluoch, September 13, 202610-man Manchester City extended their recent dominance in the Manchester Derby with a priceless 1-0 win over their arch-rivals Manchester United in a controversy-marred victory at Old Trafford on Sunday, September 13, 2026.
Erling Haaland’s goal, which was initially flagged for offside, was later awarded following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check, securing the derby bragging rights. The outcome maintained City’s dominant start of four wins in as many games as Michael Carrick’s team suffered a second league loss.
The 199th meeting between the two cross-town noisy neighbours came with its share of controversial moments, with Phil Foden’s red card and Haaland’s goal topping the list.
The English winger was handed the marching orders for violent conduct. In the 22nd minute, for kicking Bruno Fernandes in the stomach. The City winger appeared to lash out in retaliation after going to ground while contesting a ball inside City’s half.
With a man advantage, United upped the attacking tempo in the second half and should have taken the lead when Kobbie Mainoo’s shot from outside the box came off the crossbar after beating Gianluigi Donnarumma. The midfielder then set up Marcus Rashford, whose effort was blocked away as United pressed for the opener.
City’s response to going down was the telling one, as Haaland controversially put the visitors ahead in the 62nd minute. The Norwegian slid home at the far post to convert Josko Gvardiol’s cross after Enzo Fernández failed to get any contact to the Croatian defender’s delivery.
VAR chaos
With the assistant referee flagging him for offside, Old Trafford was stunned moments later after a lengthy VAR check overturned the decision, much to the delight of the travelling fans as City hit the front.
The VAR explanation stated that it checked the referee’s initial call of no goal and determined that Haaland was in an onside position from the point where the cross was delivered. The lengthy review caused a delay of nearly two minutes, after which Carrick introduced Benjamin Šeško in place of Youri Tielemans.
Stunned, United were spared from falling further behind when Senne Lammens did well to push Enzo Fernández’s drilled shot onto the post to preserve the 1-0 scoreline.
United chances
Bruno Fernandes registered United’s eighth shot on target—compared to City’s three following Foden’s sending-off—but Donnarumma denied the Portuguese as the action turned end-to-end.
Entering the final ten minutes, Enzo Maresca hauled off the cautioned Fernández, introducing Nico O’Reilly into midfield. Carrick also rang the changes, withdrawing Rashford for Joshua Zirkzee.
The added five minutes elicited further complaints from Manchester United, though they amounted to little more than the cries of a vanquished side.
The hosts did carve out one glorious late chance, but Bryan Mbeumo was thwarted from close range as Donnarumma denied the Cameroonian from point-blank range.