^ ^ Alan Shearer slams ‘pathetic’ Man Utd star after Man City defeat

Alan Shearer was unimpressed by the conduct of one Manchester United star in their derby defeat

Alan Shearer has accused Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes of play-acting in an attempt to get Phil Foden sent off in Sunday’s derby at Old Trafford.

Michael Carrick’s side slipped to a damaging 1-0 defeat which came despite playing with a numerical advantage from the 23rd minute onwards.

Erling Haaland scored the only goal of the game in controversial fashion after the VAR failed to adjudge that Enzo Fernandez had been interfering with play from and offside position before the ball reached the City striker.

While United, who have subsequently received a full and frank apology for the error committed by the match officials, were unfortunate to concede the only goal of the contest in that fashion, they were fortuitous not to have been playing with 10 men themselves, according to Shearer.

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Foden was given his marching orders in the 23rd minute after he kick out at Fernandes, having been provoked into doing so by a similar offence and Shearer believes Oliver’s decision was heavily influenced by the histrionics of Fernandes who was writhing on the ground.

‘I didn’t agree with either of them to be honest,’ Shearer said on The Rest Is Football, when asked about the two major talking points from a hotly contested match.

‘But I thought the way Bruno Fernandes went down was pathetic. He helped get Foden off and yes he’s kicked out at him a little bit but Bruno Fernandes has also kicked Phil Foden.

‘If Phil Foden reacts in the same way as Bruno Fernandes did then both get red cards. So for me either both are red or neither of them are.

‘You say to Phil Foden, look you’ve been red carded for kicking out. Now, whether it was a hard one or whether it was a soft one, it was a soft one like Bruno Fernandes’ was.

Phil Foden was sent-off following an altercation with Bruno Fernandes (Picture: Getty)

Phil Foden couldn’t believe he’d been given his marching orders (Credits: Matt West/Shutterstock)

‘He’s kicked out, so he’s stupid OK? But Bruno Fernandes has done the same thing so for me without doubt they both should’ve been a red card if Michael Oliver thinks Phil Foden’s is a red card.’

Rather than focus on the failings of the officials, meanwhile, United summer signing Youri Tielemans expressed frustration United’s meek performance.

Michael Carrick’s men have made a sluggish start to the Premier League season, with a humiliating defeat at Hull, victory against Ipswich and late draw at Everton followed by derby disappointment.

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United’s fury at the officiating for that decision is as clear as it is understandable, but Tielemans admits they were not good enough regardless of that moment.

‘It’s disappointing, so everyone is disappointed and frustrated because we know we can play so much better,” the Belgium international told MUTV.

‘We want to do things well and today it didn’t happen like we wanted.’

Phil Foden couldn’t believe he’d been given his marching orders (Credits: Matt West/Shutterstock)

Marcus Rashford hit the woodwork with a free-kick and Kobbie Mainoo hit a post as United tried to take the lead, but City managed the game impressively for the most part after Foden’s sending off.

‘We didn’t use it,’ Tielemans said. ‘We didn’t use the right spaces, we made mistakes in our passes, maybe rushed it a little bit too much.

‘We didn’t make the right last passes in the final third to create enough chances to score, so, yeah, it was tough.’

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^ ^ Rio Ferdinand criticises Manchester United players despite ‘deluded’ VAR call

Rio Ferdinand feels Manchester United should look at their performance on Sunday (Picture: Getty Images)

Manchester United were not helped by the ‘deluded’ VAR in Sunday’s derby defeat, but failed to create enough against 10-man City, feels Rio Ferdinand.

Phil Foden was dismissed after just 23 minutes at Old Trafford for retaliating after being kicked by Bruno Fernandes.

Despite the man advantage, it was Manchester City’s Erling Haaland who scored the only goal of the game after an hour.

The Norwegian’s goal was extremely controversial as it seemed clear that Enzo Fernandez was offside in the build-up and after the linesman initially flagged, VAR stepped in to give the goal.

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After the match, referee chiefs Pro Ref admitted that was a mistake and have apologised to Manchester United for the error.

Fernandez was challenging with Lisandro Martinez to get on the end of Josko Gvardiol’s cross, right in front of goalkeeper Senne Lammens and quite clearly attempted to play the ball.

Ferdinand was far from impressed with the officiating, but also felt United were blunt and short of ideas despite having the extra man for so long.

Michael Carrick has had a disappointing start to the season (Picture: Getty Images)

The Manchester United legend posted on X: ‘[Lisandro] Martinez has to go defend the man nearest the goal whether he believes he’s offside or not. In split seconds, you make the decision. He goes to defend Fernandez – who then attempts to play the ball. Deluded from VAR!

‘Regardless – Utd never created enough chances once City went to 10 men.’

Ferdinand had spotted an issue with United’s play beforehand, posting: ‘[Matheus] Cunha needs to get on last man with City having 10 men
Give the space to Bruno [Fernandes].’

Youri Tielemans also accepted that the performance against 10 men was below par, regardless of whether the officials got the big call wrong.

Youri Tielemans didn’t like Manchester United’s ‘sloppy’ display (Picture: Getty Images)

‘I don’t think we created enough chances to win the game anyway,’ the Belgian told NBC Sports. ‘I thought we were a bit sloppy on the ball and maybe didn’t make the right decisions on the final ball.’

He added on MUTV: ‘It’s disappointing, everyone is disappointed and frustrated because we know we can play so much better.

‘We want to do things well, but today it didn’t happen like we wanted.

‘We didn’t use the right spaces, we made mistakes in our passes and maybe rushed it a bit too much. We didn’t make the right last pass in the final third to create enough chances to score.

‘The process is try to get our heads together and react in the next games, that’s the only thing we can do. We can analyse this game and see what didn’t happen, and do better in the next one.’

It was a frustrating afternoon for Bruno Fernandes (Picture: Shutterstock)

Red Devils legend Roy Keane feels it has been a bad start to the season for his former club and the pressure is already on Michael Carrick, but it is not the time to panic.

‘I think it’s been a poor start, no doubt about it, today was a setback but I still think the players will react properly,’ he told Sky Sports. ‘They’ve got games on paper you think are winnable. Certainly no need to panic.

‘But the real challenge for Carrick and the staff is that when they got the job properly, people wanted a good start and he’s not had that.

‘No doubt there’ll be pressure after today’s game. But just keep their heads. United will certainly have to improve at the back, but in terms of going forward, there’s a goal threat and I think they’ll be fine. Keep their heads. Don’t panic.’

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^ ^ Wayne Rooney blasts ‘horrendous’ decision in Manchester derby: ‘I’m so sick of this’

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has had enough of VAR (Picture: BBC)

Wayne Rooney is ‘so sick’ of ‘horrendous’ VAR after the latest error in Manchester United’s defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, which he labelled ‘baffling’.

An Erling Haaland goal after an hour was the difference between the sides at Old Trafford, after City survived an early red card for Phil Foden to win 1-0.

Foden was sent off for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes after the Portuguese fouled him and kicked him when the England international was on the ground.

That was a controversial moment, as was Haaland’s goal, which was initially flagged as offside but overturned and given by VAR.

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Both Haaland and Enzo Fernandez initially looked offside but after review it was adjudged that Haaland was onside and that Fernandez was not making an attempt to play the ball.

Very clearly Fernandez was making an attempt to play the ball as he threw himself towards it in the middle of the goal, attracting the close attention of both centre-back Lisandro Martinez and goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

The Professional Refereeing Organisation (Pro Ref) has since acknowledged that the decision was wrong and the goal should not have stood.

"The goalkeeper is impacted, 100%"

Gary Neville believes Senne Lammens, as well as Lisandro Martinez, were impacted by Enzo Fernandez's position in the build up to Erling Haaland's goal🗣️ pic.twitter.com/zZZ9y2NOVs

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 13, 2026

Rooney was left fuming with the situation, confused as to how they could get an obvious call so badly wrong and remains generally very unhappy with what VAR has done to the game.

‘I’m just so sick of this VAR, I think it’s horrendous,’ the Manchester United legend said on Match of the Day 2. ‘It takes all the emotion out of the game, the energy which the game’s played with.

‘To not see that and recognise that Enzo Fernandez is in an offside position. Anyone who’s played the game at any level understands that and knows that hes in an offside position. To get it so wrong is just baffling.’

Former Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder Danny Murphy was alongside Rooney and added: ‘It is a really bad one.

‘We try here to give them the benefit of the doubt, but you can’t on this one, I’m afraid.’

Erling Haaland expertly finished the controversial goal (Picture: Getty Images)

It was not come as much relief for the Red Devils that Pro Ref – formerly PGMOL – have now admitted a mistake was made in the form of a statement on Sunday evening.

‘Following the incident in the 60th minute of Sunday’s Premier League fixture between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford, we can provide clarification regarding Erling Haaland’s awarded goal,’ the statement reads.

‘The on-field decision was offside against Erling Haaland – that was checked by VAR and he was found to be in an onside position.

‘In the same attack, it was established that Enzo Fernandez did not play the ball and therefore that makes any offside offence subjective, however, on this occasion, the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review.’

Michael Carrick was left fuming by the decision (Picture: Shutterstock)

The statement added: ‘Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement,’ the statement continued.

‘A review of the incident will take place.’

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick said of the incident: ‘The explanation I got was he wasn’t interfering with play, so 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 Licha [Martinez] 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.’

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^ ^ Chelsea branded ‘weak’ after Xabi Alonso hits out at his ‘soft’ players

Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso has work to do on his defence (Picture: Shutterstock)

Chelsea were held to a 2-2 draw by Hull City on Saturday, with manager Xabi Alonso branding his players ‘soft’ and their defence criticised as ‘weak’.

Morgan Rogers gave the Blues an early lead after just seven minutes, but two goals from Mohamed Belloumi put the Tigers into a shock lead by half-time.

Joao Pedro rescued a point for the home team at Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea’s defence remains cause for great concern.

Alonso has taken charge of six games as Blues boss and the only clean sheet has come against Luton Town in the Carabao Cup.

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Chelsea’s four Premier League games so far have seen nine goals conceded, with only Crystal Palace (11) and Ipswich Town (10) having leakier defences.

Alonso labelled his players as ‘soft’ after the draw on Saturday, saying: ‘I hope that one day you say it was a boring game and we won.

‘For sure, it’s some repeated patterns that we are making. It will take time to fix them. When we get the lead, you still need to be competing and not give the chance so easily for them to come back.

Mohamed Belloumi scored both of Hull’s goals at Stamford Bridge (Picture: (Picture: Shutterstock)

‘Especially in the first goal, we can do much better. It was too soft to give them this hope because until then we were controlling, we were creating chances … It was from a long ball, two bounces. The way it happened, you need to be very, very aware, and very ready that the danger can come from any situation.

‘If you are soft or if you are not prepared, you will get punished.’

Former Swansea City and Everton defender Ashley Williams agreed with Alonso’s assessment and feels the manager has a lot of work to do.

‘They’re 20th in the league for shots faced,’ said the Wales international. ‘I think this team is so good going forward, there’s such an emphasis on in possession and what they can do at the top end of the pitch that in their defensive transitions, they’re struggling so much.

Chelsea next go to Brentford on Friday night (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)

‘They just seem so weak at the back and disjointed. They’re so comfortable with the ball but in transition they just seem to be all over the place.

‘If you’re a top team in the Premier League you can’t just not be able to deal with long straight balls and keep missing headers. It’s all so weak and easy and soft.’

Pedro, who scored his third goal in four league games this season, admitted that Chelsea need to improve and do so quickly.

‘We have to adapt quickly, as soon as possible, because we know how the Premier League is,’ said the 24-year-old. ‘If you drop points, in the end it will be difficult to recover. We need to adapt quickly because if you want to compete, you have to improve on that.

‘We knew if they got in front they were going to sit at the back and wait for us to come and play for the counter-attack. It was a tough game.

‘In the end, we could get one point, but like I said, we need to improve and I think we’re going to improve soon.’

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