VAR OFFICIAL STOOD DOWN THIS WEEKEND AFTER MANCHESTER DERBY ERROR

 

The goal was initially ruled before the decision was reversed

The VAR who made an "error of judgement" in awarding a goal to Manchester City in Sunday's derby at Old Trafford has not been appointed to a Premier League game this weekend.

Matt Donohue, along with assistant Blake Antrobus, awarded a goal to City after a VAR check, despite Enzo Fernandez appearing to interfere with play in an offside position in the build-up to Erling Haaland’s goal.

Referees' body Pro Ref conceded it had been an error for Donohue not to send referee Michael Oliver to the screen to determine whether Fernandez’s involvement was sufficient to make him offside. The goal had been disallowed on field for an offside against Haaland, who was found on review to be being played onside by Patrick Dorgu.

Fernandez certainly appeared to have an impact on the actions of United defender Lisandro Martinez and goalkeeper Senne Lammens in his attempt to head the ball in, which would meet the definition for offside to be given.

Donohue made his Premier League officiating debut in May 2024, having gained promotion to the EFL’s assistant referees list in 2014. He has been used extensively as a VAR over the last two years.

Antrobus has also not been appointed to a game this weekend. Oliver will officiate Sunday’s match between Bournemouth and Liverpool.

Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney said the decision to give the goal was "baffling".

Rooney told the BBC’s Match of the Day 2: "I’m just so sick of this VAR, I think it’s horrendous. It takes all the emotion off the game, the energy the game’s played with, and to not see that and recognise Fernandez is in an offside position…

"Anyone who’s played the game at any level understands that and knows that he’s in an offside position…to get it so wrong, it’s just baffling."

- RTÉ Sport

FOUR GOALS AND A COMEBACK! AC MILAN DEFEATS MANCHESTER UNITED IN INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY

AC Milan closed out its preseason with a convincing 4-2 victory over Manchester United. The Rossoneri showcased their attacking power and capitalized on their opponent’s defensive mistakes.

AC Milan Completes a Convincing Comeback Against Manchester United

AC Milan closed out its preseason with a 4-2 victory over Manchester United at the Tarczyński Arena in Wroclaw in an international friendly that ultimately left the Italian side with plenty of positive takeaways. The Rossoneri had to respond twice, but ultimately imposed their attacking quality during a second half in which they found space and capitalized on their opponent’s mistakes.

The English side took an early lead through Harry Maguire, who rose to head home Bruno Fernandes’ corner. However, Milan found a response before halftime through Samuel Chukwueze, who received the assist from Gonçalo Ramos.

The equalizer was not the only major moment of the first half. Bruno Fernandes had the chance to restore United’s lead from the penalty spot, but Lorenzo Torriani read the shot correctly and made a decisive save to keep the score at 1-1.

Gonçalo Ramos Turns His Debut Into a Standout Night

The spotlight was firmly on Gonçalo Ramos, and the Portuguese forward lived up to the expectations. The Rossoneri’s new attacker was not limited to contributing to the build-up: he scored his first goal for Milan and was also directly involved in other goals.

After Patrick Dorgu restored Manchester United’s lead early in the second half, Milan responded once again. Alphadjo Cissé brought the game back to 2-2 and, just minutes later, Ramos had his moment.

The Portuguese forward found space inside the box to head home a cross from Samuel Chukwueze, making it 3-2. The play highlighted the connection between the two players throughout the match and gave Milan the lead for the first time.

United’s Defensive Errors Shift the Game

The English side took the lead twice, but could not hold onto either advantage, allowing Milan to find increasingly dangerous spaces.

United’s second goal came through Patrick Dorgu, who capitalized on a poor Milan backpass to make it 2-1. The Italian side responded immediately, and from the 2-2 mark onward, the match began to swing clearly in the Rossoneri’s favor.

Milan’s third goal once again featured Chukwueze, this time providing the assist for Ramos. The Nigerian was one of the most active players for the Italian side and took advantage of the gaps appearing in the English defense.

Shortly afterward, Ruben Loftus-Cheek burst into space on the right and received another service from Ramos before making it 4-2. The goal put the match beyond United’s reach and confirmed Milan’s attacking superiority during the decisive stretch.

Rashford Returns to United, but Milan Take the Positives

The match also featured a special moment for Marcus Rashford, who returned to the Manchester United lineup after a lengthy absence. The forward came on in the second half and showed some promising movement on the wing, although he was unable to change the course of the match.

His return was one of the main talking points for the English side, but the spotlight ultimately belonged to Milan. The Italian team found attacking solutions, capitalized on their opponent’s mistakes and finished the match with four goals against one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

- beiN SPORTS

MAN UNITED STAR SPOTTED 'LIKING' POST MOCKING RUBEN AMORIM FACES SUSPENSION

One Manchester United defender was spotted 'liking' a post that ridiculed manager Ruben Amorim for his tactical decisions

Patrick Dorgu liked a social media post criticising Ruben Amorim(Image: Poppy Townson - MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Patrick Dorgu faces a one-match Premier League suspension if he picks up another yellow card. It comes as the defender seemingly 'liked' a social media post mocking Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim. The Denmark international's Instagram account engaged with content criticising Amorim's decision to deploy Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro as a midfield partnership.

The post, published by 'mufcunion', featured a comment from X stating: "Any coach that sees Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes as a viable pivot is one that isn't serious."

The Instagram post's caption declared: "Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro CANNOT play together," which received a 'like' from the 21-year-old full-back's profile. Dorgu must now navigate his own challenges as he treads carefully ahead of Sunday's clash with Crystal Palace.

Should the left-back be shown a yellow card against the Eagles, he would be ruled out of United's home encounter with West Ham on Thursday. Amorim is yet to address Dorgu's social media activity, though many would suggest he has more pressing concerns given United's current form.

The Red Devils currently sit in 10th position after sliding down the table following a series of disappointing results. United had enjoyed significant momentum earlier in the campaign, defeating teams such as Liverpool, Brighton, and Sunderland during an impressive winning streak.

However, stalemates against Tottenham and Nottingham Forest halted this progress before it completely collapsed following their 1-0 defeat to Everton.

Despite Idrissa Gueye receiving his marching orders in the 13th minute following a confrontation with team-mate Michael Keane, United failed to make the most of their numerical superiority and succumbed to a 29th-minute effort from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

A fresh test now lies ahead against fifth-placed Palace, with United needing to deliver their finest performance against last season's FA Cup champions. With the Red Devils entirely committed to domestic matters, having failed to secure European qualification this campaign, Amorim requires his full squad at his disposal as he seeks to guide the club back up the league standings.

Ahead of the Palace encounter, Amorim said: "They are a different club [to us] and they are doing things better than us so that is quite simple."

"We play in a different way and they are just doing things better than us. They are doing things really well and they play more in transition than us. We have to look at all of these things when we compare our teams but of course, in every position, we can do so much better."

When asked whether his side possessed an edge due to their absence from European competition, the Portuguese manager added: "I said the same thing last year when we were in Europe and I say the same thing this year: there [is an] advantage and disadvantage of not being in Europe. There are no excuses. We have to always win games.""

 -  Abbie Meehan

 

MAN UNITED 'WANT TO SELL' TOP STAR 'TO COVER COST' OF ONE 'BLOCKBUSTER SIGNING' IN THE SUMMER

Alejandro Balde could replace Alejandro Garnacho in the summer transfer window.

Man Utd will look to sell Alejandro Garnacho in the summer transfer window in order to fund a move for Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde, according to reports.

The Red Devils are currently 13th in the Premier League table as they continue their terrible form this season with a crucial clash against 14th-placed Tottenham coming up on Sunday.

Man Utd have failed to improve under new boss Ruben Amorim after the Portuguese coach replaced Erik ten Hag in November with the Red Devils winning just four of their 14 Premier League matches during his tenure.

The Red Devils, who had Erik ten Hag in charge at the time, spent around £180m on new signings in the summer transfer window with Joshua Zirkzee, Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and Manuel Ugarte arriving.

However, that recruitment drive negatively impacted the January transfer window with new manager Amorim afforded one new player in Patrick Dorgu from Lens.

Man Utd are reportedly close to their Premier League profit and sustainability (PSR) limit with the Red Devils even considering sales of young players like Kobbie Mainoo and Garnacho to balance the books.

And now Spanish publication Fichajes claims that Man Utd ‘have a plan to sign a Barcelona star’ in the summer transfer window as they look to give Amorim more balance to his squad.

It is understood that Man Utd ‘want to sell’ Garnacho ‘to cover the cost of a blockbuster signing’ in the form of Barcelona left-back Balde.

The Red Devils are ‘planning an ambitious strategy to strengthen their squad in the upcoming summer transfer market’ with the Spain international becoming ‘a priority target’.

Man Utd are ‘willing to part’ with Argentina international Garnacho ‘whose sale could provide the necessary funds to complete the arrival of the left-back from FC Barcelona’.

Garnacho has proved effective in spells off the bench but is struggling to find a long-term place in Amorim’s starting XI as the Man Utd boss could look to better suited players for his system and style of play.

It is claimed that Amorim ‘highly values his impact on the team and his performance in key moments’ but that ‘United’s delicate financial situation and the need to strengthen the defence could mean the Argentine is the sacrificial piece in the summer’.

On Balde, Amorim ‘believes that his incorporation would strengthen the left wing, where the team is still looking for solutions despite the recent arrival of Patrick Dorgu’.

Barcelona ‘will not let him go easily’ with Balde valued at around €50m by the Catalan giants, while a Garnacho sale shouldn’t be a problem after January interest from both Napoli and Chelsea.

- Joe Williams

MARCUS RASHFORD EXIT COULD OPEN FOUR TRANSFERS FOR MANCHESTER UNITED

Marcus Rashford's future at Manchester United has taken another turn ahead of the January transfer window closing

Marcus Rashford in action for Manchester United at Aston Villa (Image: Getty Images)

Marcus Rashford started the day thinking his options away from Manchester United had disintegrated but may well end it with a new potential opportunity.

MEN Sport reported this morning that Barcelona were unlikely to agree to a deal in the January transfer window and would instead be interested in waiting until the summer to complete a Rashford deal. However, a twist was to come from The Athletic who report on Friday evening that Aston Villa have entered talks to sign the winger.

It is unclear whether Villa would want to sign him on loan or permanently but they will have some money to spend soon with Jhon Duran set to join Al Nassr. Should Rashford now leave before the January transfer window closes, MEN Sport has taken a closer look at the deals that could be opened up for completion in the aftermath.

It is unclear whether Villa would want to sign him on loan or permanently but they will have some money to spend soon with Jhon Duran set to join Al Nassr. Should Rashford now leave before the January transfer window closes, MEN Sport has taken a closer look at the deals that could be opened up for completion in the aftermath.

Patrick Dorgu

Lecce's full-back is on the cusp of joining United but the Reds are looking to complete another exit before green lighting that through. The exit to allow Dorgu's arrival was believed to be Tyrell Malacia but in the short-term, should Rashford depart first, then the Serie A wide man can arrive.

That would be seen as a big bonus for United considering Ruben Amorim's desire to strengthen the left-side of his squad this winter.

Mathys Tel

Tottenham Hotspur are understood to be pushing incredibly hard to sign Tel before the deadline on Monday but reports from Germany suggest the winger is currently uninterested in a permanent move to North London. A loan switch is thought to be more favourable for Tel at present and United are apparently willing to offer him that.

With Rashford gone, the Reds could advance their negotiations with Bayern and perhaps sign a very exciting young talent in the process.

Bayern Munich winger Mathys Tel (Image: Icon Sport via Getty Images)

Geovany Quenda

Last year, the Manchester Evening News reported that Sporting's Geovany Quenda was an option for the end of the season. If Rashford were to leave, United could loan in Tel until the end of the season before making a permanent move for Amorim's former player in the summer.

That would perhaps be the best of both worlds considering that Tel may potentially decide his permanent home is not in the Premier League.

Viktor Gyokeres

Ultimately, a permanent sale of Rashford to Villa, Barcelona or another club would be used to help the Reds sign a centre-forward. Gyokeres remains Amorim's guy and having stuck to his word of not pursuing him in January, you feel it is only a matter of time before seeds are sown to sign him in the summer.

The Swede will not come cheap so any money that United can recoup from Rashford's sale willbe used, at least in part, to sign Gyokeres.

- Jack Flintham