Man United fans fume at controversial penalty in derby day defeat

'Farcical decision'

Pep Guardiola's side moved to within two points of league leaders Tottenham as Erling Haaland's penalty ensured that the bragging rights would belong to the blue half of Manchester.

City were dominant throughout and were rarely troubled by a toothless United attack as they fell to their first defeat in four games.

The away side were awarded a spot kick after Rasmus Hojlund was adjudged to have held Rodri back in the box to deny him getting on the end of Julian Alvarez's free kick.

Play had initially carried on but VAR official Michael Oliver told Paul Tierney to go to the monitor before awarding the spot kick.

Haaland stepped up from 12 yards to send Andre Onana the wrong way.

Jamie Carragher admitted in the Super Sunday studio that it was a "harsh" decision to award a penalty.

He said: "I think it's a little bit harsh.

"I'm not saying it isn't a foul, but this happens in virtually every game and you don't see penalties given for it.

"I feel a little bit for Manchester United as every team in the league could show an incident like this where they weren't awarded a penalty."

Fans have also hit out at the decision to award the penalty, with one fan describing it as a "farcical decision".

A second said: "Never a pen. One the player fell over was never going to get the ball. Two if pens are given for that 10 pens a game.

"Every part of that was an absolute shambles. If that’s a pen then there should be five a game," another commented.

This fan wrote: "Shocking decision. Clear bias and inconsistent refereeing. VAR is a joke."

Haaland then doubled the away side's lead shortly into the second half as he nodded home Bernardo Silva's delicious cross.

Haaland's excellent performance then saw him turn provider for Phil Foden as he gave up the chance for his hat trick to lay the ball on a plate for the England international to convert into the back of the net.

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