Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has called for VAR to be scrapped following Erling Haaland's controversial goal in the Manchester derby.
Haaland turned in Josko Gvardiol's cross at the far post in the 60th minute, with the goal awarded after a VAR check, having initially been disallowed for offside. Pro Ref has made contact with Manchester United to acknowledge an "error of judgment."
Schmeichel, who made 292 appearances for United, has called for the end of VAR -- which was introduced in 2019-20 -- as it is "interfering with football" and "hasn't made it better."
"I wish that we could scrap VAR," Schmeichel said during punditry duties with Viaplay. "We've got into a system now where VAR and the referees are the most important people in football. It sucks all the energy out of it. As soon as there is a goal, you're not allowed to celebrate.
"We saw after five minutes, the players and the fans could celebrate -- but it's not the same. The ball goes in the back of the net, it's a goal, but then the linesman puts his flag up for offside.
"I wish, and I'm longing for these days, we could scrap VAR because it's such an annoyance and it's interfering with football. And it hasn't made it better."
The goal proved decisive as 10-man City, who had Phil Foden sent off midway through the first half, triumphed 1-0 at Old Trafford.
In a post on X after the incident, the Premier League Match Centre said the VAR "determined that Haaland was in an onside position" and "deemed that while in an offside position, [Enzo] Fernández didn't play the ball."
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However, Pro Ref said on Sunday evening that the VAR "did not recognise the likely impact" of Fernández's position and "should have recommended an on-field review."
Former United defender Gary Neville expressed his confusion at the decision while on co-commentating duties for Sky Sports.
"I'm going to need the offside law explaining to me, because that has lost me, I have to say," he said. "I do think when they look back on this, they will recognise they got it wrong."
Information from PA was used in this report.