Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has explained why Bruno Fernandes’ goal in Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Manchester City was not disallowed.
The highpoint of the Manchester derby was when Marcus Rashford chased down Casemiro pass from.a clear offside position and then allowed Fernandes to score what happened to be the equalising goal after Jack Grealish came from the bench to give the visitors the lead.
Many pundits believe the goal should have been ruled out for offside as Pep Guardiola and his players protested vehemently.
But speaking on Premier League Productions, former referee Gallagher explained, “When I first saw him drifting away I thought he could be flagged offside.
“The referee thinks he is offside. He sees Rashford in an offside position. He is clearly in an offside position. But offside doesn’t effect itself.
“He doesn’t touch the ball. No he doesn’t. He doesn’t interfere or impact an opponent. He doesn’t impact on Kanji because he was on the wrong side of him.
“He didn’t impact Walker and the goalkeeper I’m not sure. You have to look at the distance between Rashford and Akanji and you’ll see that he hasn’t impacted on him. He hasn’t touched the ball or impacted on the opponent and he[the referee has given a goal].
“The VAR can’t intervene because it is not factual. It’s a ref decision and the referee must make that decision and having made that decision ,there’s no evidence for VAR to say otherwise. Therefore the goal was given.
