Explained: Manchester United’s equalizer by Bruno Fernandes against Manchester City should have stood or was it offside?

Explained: Manchester United’s equalizer by Bruno Fernandes against Manchester City should have stood or was it offside?

Bruno Fernandes scoring Manchester United's first goal against City

A lot of controversies were sparked after a thrilling Manchester Derby at Old Trafford ended 2-1 in favor of United. Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was fuming after conceding the first goal. He even mentioned that the first goal should have been ruled offside by the VAR but the Red Devils were given a home advantage over them.

Pep Guardiola was not happy with the match officials. Marcus Rashford‘s heroics helped Manchester United come from behind to seal all three points against City. The Spanish manager argued about Rashford’s offside position in the press conference. Although, Rashford left the ball untouched for his teammate Bruno Fernandes while confusing the opponent players with his positioning.

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Guardiola believes that Marcus Rashford interfered with the play by blocking Manuel Akanji’s defensive run. “If he knows that he is going to go with Rashford, he will go back with him and do the duel one versus one and he sees what happens. But he (Rashford) intervenes in the action,” Pep explained.

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The Manchester City manager criticized his side’s defensive performance. The reigning Premier League champions were stunned by their arch-rivals in a thrilling fixture. Marcus Rashford turned the game around for Manchester United in just three minutes as he scored in his ninth consecutive game at Old Trafford.

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What is the offside rule in such cases?

Marcus Rashford in action for Manchester United

Yesterday’s goal from Bruno Fernandes left a lot of fans wondering whether the goal should’ve stood or not. Marcus Rashford moved along the ball while he was offside without touching it. he waited for Bruno Fernandes to perfectly position himself to take the shot but never touched the ball himself.

In such a situation, the player who is in an offside position should not touch the ball or interfere in any opponent’s play while the ball is being passed. Although, the rule clearly states that the player who is offside should not be, in any case, obstructing the ball from the opposition players with his body. Something Pep Guardiola was complaining about in the press conference.

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In conclusion, it can be fairly said that Marcus Rashford’s movement over the ball could be considered an obstruction of play. This is so because Rashford’s run certainly blocked Akanji from making a tackle. Therefore, Manchester United’s first goal should not be ideally counted.

A look at Pep Guardiola’s reaction to defeat against Manchester United

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola

The Spanish veteran was disappointed after the Premier League champions’ dull performance at Old Trafford. Pep Guardiola was not impressed with the star-struck squad and even told the press that their Premier League and Carabao Cup may be over. He was also complaining about the decisions taken by the VAR and match officials.

“The decision is they didn’t believe he [impacted the play]. Rashford was intervening in this action when this happened. It’s Old Trafford. We have to play much better. Like it’s Anfield. We have to do better. The rule is the rule, the interpretation belongs to the referee. I say Rashford is offside, Bruno is not. The situation is for the referees.” Pep Guardiola talking to BT Sports after the match.

Pressure intensifies for the title race as Manchester City dropped points yet again against arch-rivals. Manchester United has leaped forward to the 3rd spot in the Premier League table after a series of astounding performances in the league. How d you think Pep Guardiola is going to overcome this sloppy phase?

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