Peter Schmeichel has reignited the debate over VAR after calling for the technology to be scrapped following Erling Haaland’s controversial winner in the Manchester derby.
Haaland scored the only goal as Manchester City secured a 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford, but the strike has become the centre of attention after a lengthy debate over the offside decision.
The Norwegian striker turned Josko Gvardiol’s cross in at the far post in the 60th minute. The goal was initially ruled out for offside before VAR intervened and overturned the decision.
City were already down to 10 men after Phil Foden was sent off midway through the first half, making Haaland’s goal even more decisive in a tense derby.
However, the controversy did not end with the final whistle.
Pro Ref has since contacted Manchester United to acknowledge an “error of judgment” over the decision, while the Premier League Match Centre initially defended the VAR call.
According to the Premier League Match Centre, VAR determined that Haaland was in an onside position and decided that although Enzo Fernández was in an offside position, he had not played the ball.
Pro Ref later offered a different assessment, saying VAR “did not recognise the likely impact” of Fernández’s position and “should have recommended an on-field review.”
That explanation has only intensified the frustration surrounding the incident.
Schmeichel, who made 292 appearances for Manchester United during his playing career, believes the latest controversy demonstrates why VAR has become a problem rather than a solution.
The former Denmark international did not hold back during his punditry duties with Viaplay.
“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.”
Schmeichel’s frustration reflects a wider concern about the impact of VAR on the emotion and spontaneity of football.
For supporters, few moments compare with the instant rush when the ball hits the net. Yet the derby incident once again highlighted how celebrations can be interrupted while officials examine an incident frame by frame.
Former United defender Gary Neville was also left puzzled by the decision while working as a co-commentator 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.”
With Pro Ref now acknowledging an error of judgment, the Haaland goal has become another major flashpoint in the ongoing VAR debate.
For Schmeichel, the answer is simple: take VAR out of the game and bring back the immediacy that once defined football’s biggest moments.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
