Sunday's highly-anticipated Manchester Derby has sadly — depending on which club you support, of course — delivered another VAR controversy after Manchester City were awarded a polarizing penalty.
Manchester United welcomed the reigning champions to Old Trafford in the standout game of Matchweek, and given that Guardiola's men were already the favorites, Ten Hag's side did not need refereeing decisions to go against them.
Unfortunately, in the eyes of many watching this derby, that is exactly what happened just before the half-an-hour mark. After a tussle in the Manchester United box, Rodri went down, leading to a penalty shout from the visitors and a subsequent intervention from VAR.
Paul Tierney, the match official in this game, was thus called over to the screen to review the incident. The replay showed Rasmus Højlund using his arm to impede an onrushing Rodri just as the cross was coming in, with the referee thus handing Guardiola's men a spot kick. Haaland stepped up and coverted with ease, scoring at Old Trafford for the first time and giving his side the lead.
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"HAALAND! CITY ARE ON THEIR WAY!" pic.twitter.com/TvUe4jaxis
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 29, 2023
Manchester City were awarded a penalty after this foul by Rasmus Hojlund on Rodri. #MUNMCI
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) October 29, 2023
@peacock pic.twitter.com/UAiLJxgqtf
However, several fans believed this was a soft penalty to award and argued that pulls and shirt tugs of this kind happen all the time during corner kicks. The fact that Tierney took his time reviewing the incident also convinced many that this was not a clear and obvious error, thus sparking anger on X (formerly Twitter).
Was the referee right to award the Cityzens a penalty or did Rodri's theatrics — or even favoritism from match officials toward Man City — earn the visitors an undeserved spot kick? Check out the best reactions to this controversy below.
OMG! Michael Oliver on VAR. Same guy who didn't send Kovacic off and should be suspended https://t.co/ktDSllRw1n
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) October 29, 2023
It would be beneficial if the players knew the rules.
— Guillaume (@guillaumevdwege) October 29, 2023
That's only possible if the rules are clear and outlined before the season by the refereeing government
This season every VAR decision feels like an amateur dart throw
Yeah, I don't get that pen decision. You see that happening like a million times a game, no one bats an eye. For VAR to intervene as well?
— Neal (@NealGardner_) October 29, 2023
Clear and obvious…
Idk man, that sort of blocking happens every week in the league
— Rimedi (@r1medi) October 29, 2023
| Jamie Carragher on the penalty:
— UtdDistrict (@UtdDistrict) October 29, 2023
"I think it's a little bit harsh. I'm not saying it's not a penalty but this happens in every game and you don't see a penalty."
[Sky Sports]
That is the most corrupt penalty decision I've ever seen, I'm in disbelief that's pure corruption.
— Frank (@TenHagEra) October 29, 2023
Man City get that penalty because of Rodri running at the ref and moaning. Certain teams get fines for that behaviour, Man City get penalties. That happens every set piece and they aren't given.
— PB (@OliPriceBates) October 29, 2023
About 3 hours passed before they called that back to check for a penalty
— Casey Evans (@Casey_Evans_) October 29, 2023
A soft penalty. We see that type of challenge/tug every week and the inconsistency is driving me mad, man.
— FK (@fkhanage) October 29, 2023
That penalty may be a correct call. But I reckon so few teams actually get that.
— gunnerblog (@gunnerblog) October 29, 2023
The toe drag and lunge from Rodri before falling is textbook diving mechanics.
— Joel A. A. (@joeladejola) October 29, 2023
Great for him and City. Poor on the referees who wouldn't give a penalty for a similar hold (minus exaggeration).
Manchester City has the most penalties attempted (22) and scored (18) in the Premier League in the last three seasons pic.twitter.com/lazUsSYOTu
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 29, 2023