Joe Hart is going viral for his take on Erling Haaland's controversial goal in the Manchester derby

Former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart says he "absolutely cannot believe" the decision to allow Erling Haaland's controversial winner against Manchester United.

With an hour played at Old Trafford, the linesman raised his flag after Haaland tapped home from close range at the back post.

Moments later, referee Michael Oliver paused the restart for a VAR check to take place, and after a lengthy wait, the decision was controversially overturned.

READ MORE: Premier League release statement confirming why Haaland goal was given

It was decided that Haaland was not in an offside position from the initial cross because he was being played onside by Patrick Dorgu, while Enzo Fernandez, who was in an offside position when the ball passed him, did not touch the ball.

Explaining the decision, the Premier League Match Centre wrote: "VAR checked the referee’s call of no goal for offside – and determined that Haaland was in an onside position and recommended that the goal was awarded."

The statement added: "The VAR also deemed that while in an offside position, Fernandez didn’t play the ball."

However, some have suggested Fernandez's movement distracted Lisandro Martinez from blocking Josko Gvardiol's deflected cross before Haaland fired in at the back post, including Joe Hart.

Joe Hart in disbelief at decision to award Manchester City's winner

Joe Hart, who made 348 appearances for City over a 12-year period, was asked to give his thoughts on Haaland's controversial goal as he sat next to former United pair Michael Owen and Dimitar Berbatov.

"The fact that Enzo Fernandez is there and makes an attempt to go for the ball, that affects him," Hart said on Premier League Productions.

"So therefore, by the letter of the law... I can't believe, I absolutely cannot believe that all the people that are involved in making this decision and they've come up with that Enzo Fernandez did not impact the play, because anyone involved in football will tell you right there that he did."

Michael Carrick gives his take on the Erling Haaland goal

Speaking in his post-match media duties, United head coach Michael Carrick admitted he was "staggered" after hearing why Haaland's second-half strike was awarded.

“If that's the interpretation of not interfering in the game now, that's really worrying for me. It's a staggering explanation," he began.

“I just don't get it. I really don't get it. I can't understand how they're trying to help referees and putting so many layers behind them with so many people, so many bodies, so many screens, and so many whatever offices they are to try and come up with the right decisions.

“If that's how the rules are interpreted, that you're not interfering with play because you've thrown yourself at the ball six yards from goal and pretty much nearly touched it, which then Leif has to react from. On top of that, the line was a bit dubious where they drew the line to start with. It's worrying if that's really how the game's seen by those who are officiating it.”