Rooney explodes! United legend rips into horrendous VAR after derby scandal
The fallout from the Manchester derby refuses to die down, and now the loudest voice belongs to the greatest goalscorer in Manchester United history.
Details: Wayne Rooney has furiously criticized the decision to allow Erling Haaland's winning goal in the derby against Manchester United. I'm so sick of VAR, it's horrendous, the United legend said. The strike in question settled the 199th Manchester derby, which City won 1:0 at Old Trafford despite finishing the match with ten men.
The episode that enraged Rooney unfolded in the 60th minute on Sunday. Haaland's goal was initially ruled out for offside, only for VAR to intervene and award it, sparking fury among United players and fans. The chaos deepened after the final whistle: the Premier League's refereeing body admitted an error of judgment in the handling of the incident, effectively apologizing to United, while separately published VAR imagery was presented as proof the striker was onside. Rooney, analyzing the derby on Match of the Day, called the whole sequence baffling and delivered his now famous verdict on the technology. The defeat leaves United with four points from four rounds and heaps pressure on a season already threatening to drift, while City march on with a perfect record under Enzo Maresca. For Haaland, the goal carried its own silver lining: it made him the outright top scorer in Manchester derby history, moving past Rooney and Sergio Aguero, a detail that surely adds salt to the wounds of the Old Trafford legend.
It's worth noting that Rooney scored 11 goals in Manchester derbies during his playing career, a record that Haaland has now surpassed despite playing far fewer matches in the fixture.
Reminder: Agüero and Rooney left behind! Haaland sets new Manchester derby record.
Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
