Micah Richards Furious After Manchester Derby as PGMOL Admit Haaland Goal Error

City secured local bragging rights in dramatic circumstances at the Etihad, playing with 10 men for the majority of the match after Phil Foden was sent off in the first half.

Despite United having the numerical advantage, Haaland eventually struck the decisive goal after the hour mark.

The goal was initially ruled out for offside before a lengthy VAR review overturned the decision.

The controversy intensified after the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) subsequently contacted Manchester United to acknowledge an "error of judgement" in allowing the goal to stand.

Richards: ‘A bad day for referees’

Former City defender Richards was scathing in his assessment of the afternoon's officiating.

Speaking on Sky Sports, he argued that officials had made mistakes in two of the game's biggest incidents.

"I think it's been a bad day for referees, I think it's been a bad day for VAR."

Richards questioned both Foden's dismissal and the decision to allow Haaland's goal.

His biggest frustration centred on Enzo Fernandez's involvement in the build-up.

Fernandez was in an offside position and attempted to play the ball without making contact.

For Richards, that was enough to affect the United defenders attempting to deal with Haaland.

He explained that, as a former defender, even a small movement from an attacking player can influence how a defender reacts.

That was precisely what Richards believed happened during the incident.

PGMOL admit Haaland decision was wrong

The original VAR explanation stated that Haaland himself was in an onside position.

The Premier League Match Centre subsequently explained that Fernandez was in an offside position but had not played the ball, meaning the question of whether he had interfered with play was subjective.

That was the basis for allowing Haaland's goal to stand.

However, PGMOL later acknowledged that VAR had failed to recognise the likely impact of Fernandez's position.

The refereeing body accepted that the VAR official should have recommended an on-field review.

That admission has added considerable weight to the controversy surrounding City's winner.

United were understandably furious after the goal was awarded, while the subsequent explanation did little to settle the argument.

Haaland's winner decides a remarkable derby

The controversy came after a first half that had already been turned upside down by Foden's dismissal.

Haaland's finish eventually settled the match, despite City having to play with 10 men for a huge period.

That made the result even more impressive from City's perspective.

Richards was keen to separate his criticism of the officials from his assessment of City's performance.

"That doesn't take anything away from City's performance."

He praised the resilience shown by the home side after being reduced to 10 men, particularly given the significance of the first derby under their new manager.

Richards described City's response as evidence of the fight and spirit they had shown throughout the contest.

Foden red card also questioned

Richards' frustration was not limited to the Haaland incident.

Foden was sent off after 23 minutes following his reaction to a challenge involving United captain Bruno Fernandes.

The England international was shown a straight red card, leaving City with a numerical disadvantage for most of the afternoon.

Richards believed the decision was another example of officials getting a major call wrong.

That meant two of the game's defining incidents became major talking points before and after Haaland eventually settled the contest.

Roy Keane sees a different problem for United

While Richards focused heavily on the officials, Roy Keane looked at the match from a different perspective.

The former United captain argued that the Red Devils failed to make sufficient use of their numerical advantage.

City were reduced to 10 men, but United could not find a way through their defensive structure.

Keane felt City's players showed greater composure and tactical awareness when dealing with the pressure.

"City were smarter than United."

He suggested that United players began to overthink the situation after Foden's dismissal instead of continuing to play their normal game.

For Keane, City's ability to manage the contest demonstrated a level of streetwise football that United were missing.

City showed remarkable resilience

Whatever the controversy surrounding the officiating, City's victory was a significant display of character.

They lost a player early, spent most of the game with 10 men and still found a way to score the only goal.

The result also gives the new City regime an important derby victory, with Richards particularly impressed by the mentality shown after the red card.

United, meanwhile, will be left wondering how they failed to take advantage of having an extra player for so long.

What happens next?

The Haaland goal is likely to remain one of the biggest talking points from the derby because of PGMOL's admission that the VAR process should have resulted in an on-field review.

Richards' criticism has added another high-profile voice to the debate, while the original decision and subsequent explanation have placed the spotlight firmly on the officials.

But for City, the controversy cannot completely overshadow what was an extraordinary result.

Ten-man City held out against their local rivals and ultimately won the derby.

For United, the bigger concern may be that even with a numerical advantage, they could not find a way past City's resistance.