Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has unleashed sharp criticism at the VAR system after officials allowed Erling Haaland's winning goal to stand in a 1-0 derby defeat to Manchester City, branding the explanation given for the decision as "staggering."

The controversy centered on an offside position held by Enzo Fernández in the build-up to Haaland's strike. Video assistant referees ruled that Fernández was not actively interfering with play — a verdict that left Carrick bewildered.

"I just don't get it, I really don't get it," Carrick said. "I can't understand how we're trying to help referees, putting so many layers behind them, so many people, bodies and screens, and they can't make the right decision."

The United manager stopped short of directing blame at his players, instead acknowledging that the side had performed well in patches without finding the crucial breakthrough.

"It's worrying if that's how the game's seen by those who are officiating it," he added. "I can't be too critical of the players, and I won't be because I think we've done a lot of good things. Today we didn't quite find what we needed."

Carrick also turned his attention to the club's points tally, conceding that United have fallen short of expectations and urging his squad to refocus.

"I'm feeling for the fans today," he said. "We haven't got as many points as we would've liked at this stage; there's no getting away from that. We've just got to move on and get winning again."

Defender Lisandro Martínez echoed his manager's frustration, calling the VAR ruling "an injustice" and offering his own account of the incident that led to Haaland's goal.

"I think it was offside," Martínez said. "What I can't understand is the rules. He was there. I went to him because he was there in front of me; that's why Haaland was free at the back."

The Argentine centre-back made no effort to conceal the emotional weight of the defeat. "I want to be calm now; I want to control myself. It's so hard, because you lose, you lose a derby, you lose three points at home — it's unacceptable," Martínez said. "Because it's the best league in the world, you have the best teams in the world, the best players in the world, and now we have to go home with this injustice."