Schmeichel Calls for VAR to Be Scrapped After Controversial Haaland Winner

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has called for VAR to be scrapped altogether following Erling Haaland's controversial winning goal in the Manchester derby.

Haaland turned home Josko Gvardiol's cross at the far post in the 60th minute. The goal was initially ruled out for offside but was then awarded after a VAR check. Pro Ref has since been in touch with Manchester United to admit what it called an "error of judgment."

[Referees' Body Admits VAR Error Over Haaland's Winner in Manchester Derby]

Schmeichel, who made 292 appearances for United during his playing career, believes VAR has done more harm than good since it was brought in for the 2019-20 season.

"I wish that we could scrap VAR," Schmeichel said while working as a pundit for 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."

He pointed to the mood inside stadiums as one of the biggest issues.

"We saw after five minutes, the players and the fans could celebrate, but it's not the same," Schmeichel said. "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 ended up deciding the game, with 10-man City beating United 1-0 at Old Trafford after Phil Foden had been sent off in the first half.

[Phil Foden Mocks Man United Fans After City’s 1-0 Derby Win]

Right after the incident, the Premier League Match Centre posted on X that VAR "determined that Haaland was in an onside position" and "deemed that while in an offside position, Enzo Fernández didn't play the ball."

But Pro Ref later admitted the process had gone wrong, saying on Sunday evening that VAR "did not recognise the likely impact" of Fernández's position and "should have recommended an on-field review."

Former United defender Gary Neville, working as a co-commentator for Sky Sports, said he was left baffled by the decision at the time.

"I'm going to need the offside law explaining to me, because that has lost me, I have to say," Neville said. "I do think when they look back on this, they will recognise they got it wrong."