Manchester Derby: Why Bruno Fernandes Goal Stood Despite Marcus Rashford Offside Calls

• The Man United vs Man City Premier League cracker was riddled with a controversial refereeing decision
• City had taken the lead via Jack Grealish when Bruno Fernandes controversially equalised for the Red Devils
• Fernandes' goal had initially been ruled out after Marcus Rashford was adjudged to have been offside before VAR intervened
• The Red Devils were the eventual winners of the Manchester derby, with Rashford netting the winner with nine minutes left

The Premier League has explained why Bruno Fernandes's goal for Man United during the Manchester derby was allowed to stand despite calls to have it ruled out for offside.

The EPL cracker staged at Old Trafford on Saturday, January 14, lived up to its billing, with the Red Devils emerging as the victors.

City, who came into the match on the back of their damaging defeat against Southampton in the Carabao Cup were hoping to use the tie to narrow Arsenal's lead at the top.

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However, it was United who left the pitch the happier side, with goals from Fernandes and Rashford rendering Jack Grealish's opener a mere consolation.

Why Fernandes' controversial goal stood

But it was Fernandes's equaliser for Man United that became the major talking point, with the Man City fanbase contending the goal should not have stood.

Sportbible reports that the goal was United's first in the game and had to be awarded by VAR after Marcus Rashford was initially ruled for offside in the build-up.

Experienced referee Michael Oliver, who was on VAR duty, subjected the incident for a review and reversed the original decision of offside after it was determined that Rashford did not interfere with play enough for the goal to be chalked off.

The decision left the Man City camp furious, with a section of the playing unit confronting the centre referee over the decision.

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But after the match, the Premier League explained why the goal stood in a statement which said:

"The flag went up, ref and linesman had a conversation, deemed no touch on the ball from Rashford and no impact on the defender being able to play the ball. VAR could not find evidence of clear and obvious error so supports the goal."

Pep concedes Premier League

Sports Brief also reported on how Pep Guardiola appeared to concede the Premier League after the derby defeat.

This was Manchester City’s second successive defeat this week, as they were surprisingly dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Southampton days earlier.

The result against United leaves them in real danger of slipping further from runaway leaders Arsenal, who currently enjoy a five-point gap at the top with a game in hand.

'I don't care about the Premier League and the Carabao Cup, we cannot win,' the Spaniard quickly told BT Sport.