‘Injustice!’ Man Utd star blasts referee over Erling Haaland’s derby goal

Lisandro Martínez called the decision to allow Manchester City’s winning goal against Manchester United “an injustice”.

Despite playing with ten men for over 50 minutes after Phil Foden’s early red card, Man City emerge victorious courtesy of Erling Haaland’s second-half strike.

Haaland’s decisive goal was initially ruled out for offside. However, the goal was eventually given following a lengthy VAR check with Patrick Dorgu shown to be playing Haaland onside.

Speaking after the game, Martinez was furious by the decision.

City midfielder Enzo Fernández was in an offside position and attempted to play the ball in front of Martinez before Haaland got involved in the play.

Enzo Fernandez challenges Lisandro Martinez  before the ball lands to Erling Haaland who scores a goal to make it 0-1. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)

“I think it was offside,” Martinez told Sky Sports.

“And what I can’t understand is the rules. He [Fernández] was there, I went to him. He was there, in front of me. So that’s why [Erling] Haaland was free at the back.

“Every season [the referees] are coming to our club, they explain for one hour, one hour and a half the rules, and they look so confident with that, and then after five, six people make these kinds of mistakes in the Premier League. It’s unacceptable.

“Because it’s the best league in the world, you have the best teams in the world, the best players in the world, and now we have to go home with this injustice.”

Erling Haaland celebrates scoring against Manchester United. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Premier League statement about Haaland’s goal

A statement published on the Premier League Match Centre X account during the game read: “VAR checked the referee’s call of no goal for offside and determined that Haaland was in an onside position and recommended that the goal was awarded.

“The VAR also deemed that while in an offside position, Fernandez didn’t play the ball.”