Manchester United enjoyed a big night at Old Trafford after beating rivals Manchester City 2-0 in the Premier League. Goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu gave the home side a famous derby win and sent the crowd home happy.
It was also a perfect start for new interim boss Michael Carrick, who stepped into the role after Ruben Amorim was shown the door earlier in the week. United looked sharp, organised, and hungry, while City struggled to control the game.
But despite the strong result, much of the talk after full-time has not been about the goals. Instead, attention has turned to refereeing decisions and another major VAR controversy.
Focus First Fell on Dalot Challenge
Straight after the final whistle, most fans and pundits were talking about a late challenge involving Diogo Dalot and Jeremy Doku.
Dalot went in hard on the City winger, lifting his foot and making contact high up the leg. Many believed the United defender was lucky to stay on the pitch. The referee showed a yellow card, and VAR checked the incident but chose not to upgrade it to a red.
That decision caused plenty of debate on TV and social media. Clips of the challenge were replayed again and again, with strong opinions from both sides. However, another key moment from the match was barely discussed at all.
New Footage Brings Different Incident to Light
Several days after the derby, fresh footage began to circulate online showing an incident involving Bruno Fernandes inside the City penalty area.
During the second half, Fernandes went to ground after contact with a City player. At the time, there was no replay shown on TV, and the moment passed quickly. VAR confirmed they had checked it, but nothing more was said.
Now, slowed-down and zoomed-in footage shared on social media tells a different story. The clip appears to show contact made from behind, with Fernandes’ legs clipped while the ball was not in playing distance.
The referee, Anthony Taylor, did not react, and play continued. Fans watching live may have missed it, but the replay has raised serious questions about how the incident was handled.
Former Referee Delivers Clear Verdict
The footage has since been reviewed by former referees, including ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett.
Hackett did not sit on the fence. He said the officials should have acted and that VAR, in particular, failed in its duty. According to him, if the incident had been properly reviewed, it could have resulted in a straight red card for violent conduct.
Hackett also explained that in previous seasons, such moments would often be looked at again after the match. If officials confirmed they had not seen the incident clearly, a disciplinary review could follow.
That system now seems less clear, with VAR expected to deal with everything during the game. In this case, many feel that the process did not work as it should have.
VAR Consistency Under the Spotlight Again
This latest controversy has added more fuel to the ongoing debate around VAR in the Premier League. Fans are once again asking why some incidents are checked again and again, while others are dealt with quickly or ignored.
United fans feel the incident involving Fernandes deserved the same attention as the Dalot challenge. City fans argue decisions went against them earlier in the game. What both sides agree on is that VAR remains inconsistent.
For Manchester United, the result will always be remembered as a big derby win and a positive start under Carrick. For the league, however, it is another reminder that refereeing decisions continue to dominate headlines long after the final whistle.
One thing is certain, this Manchester derby is not done making news just yet.
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