Howard Webb reveals what went wrong in Manchester derby VAR audio as officials' conversation released

The full audio for the controversial offside incident for Erling Haaland's winning goal in the Manchester derby has been released as part of Howard Webb addressing the incident.

Haaland scored the only goal of the game as City claimed a historic victory with 10 men after Phil Foden was shown a red card for reacting to Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes in the first half.

Initially ruled out for offside by the linesman's flag, a VAR review uncovered that Haaland had actually been played onside and the goal was given by referee Michael Oliver.

However, the role of Enzo Fernandez was the source of major controversy as the Argentine was in an offside position.

VAR audio released in full from controversial Manchester derby winning goal

Although he did not touch the ball, Fernandez made an attempt with a diving header. The Premier League issued an immediate explanation through its match centre but then Pro Ref, the Premier League refereeing body, admitted an “error of judgement” and said that contact had been made with United.

READ NEXT: Premier League make decision over Manchester derby official after Erling Haaland controversy

Audio footage of the moment has since been released on the first episode of 'Match Officials Mic’d Up' this season.

Assistant VAR: Enzo, Enzo.

VAR: Possible offside.

VAR: Checking the on-field decision of offside against Haaland. He's tight. He's onside, so now we need to check the full attacking possession phase (APP).

Haaland's in an onside position, but I need to check the full APP. Go back to see if [Iliman] Ndiaye is onside when it is flicked. Yes. Go, go, go, so it should be a goal.

No touch there [from Enzo Fernandez], confirm no touch. Clear gap. It's not a touch there is it? Goal.

Michael, confirming that you need to change your decision to goal. Haaland is in an onside position. Final decision is goal; check complete.

Matt Donohue and Blake Antrobus, the video assistant referee and the assistant video assistant referee, have both been stood down from matches in the upcoming weekend of Premier League football.

It has even been suggested that they will not be allowed to be involved in United games going forward.

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

Howard Webb shares verdict on controversial Erling Haaland winner

The next step was for Webb, the chief refereeing officer, to address the matter on Sky Sports.

Live on the programme, Webb went through the full incident in front of the TV cameras, and the exchange between match officials involving the awarding of Haaland's winning goal was made public.

"We felt it was important that we acknowledged an error in the situation. We know that Erling Haaland was penalised for offside and wasn't in an offside position.

"We also know that Enzo Fernandez, who was in an offside position, almost certainly interfered with the Manchester United defence and probably the goalkeeper.

"I was really disappointed with this outcome; we all were. None more than the officials. They take personal pride in what they do and they are hurting now after falling short in this situation. They will not be officiating until after the international break.

"We have reached out to Manchester United and acknowledged the error, as we do when these things happen and they do not happen often. We want to ensure we are transparent and open.

"We have played the audio and footage to the club to let them know what happened. We will review the situation to understand what elements of the process fell down in this situation which meant we didn't get to the right outcome.

"Fernandez doesn't actually touch the ball, so he has not committed what we would call a factual offside offence of interfering with play.

"But you can still be penalised even if you do not touch the ball. In this situation, as the ball comes across, we see Fernandez dive towards the ball and he gets close to it.

"That impacts [Lisandro] Martinez; he cannot come and clear the ball. It probably impacts [Senne] Lammens as well, he cannot dive in the way he would or sets himself for potential contact from Fernandez.

"It is impacting the defence in a couple of ways as a result of the actions he makes in the offside position.

"The on-field decision was not against Fernandez; it was against Haaland. When the VAR starts their check, they see that Haaland is actually onside by three centimetres.

"The VAR gets super focused on Haaland. He establishes he is onside but when he runs it through the full APP, he doesn't truly evaluate the full impact of Fernandez.

"In that moment, he gets tunnel vision but it is down to the rest of his team to pull him out of that tunnel but unfortunately, that did not happen on this occasion.

"This goal should have been disallowed."