Manchester United’s equaliser against Manchester City was initially ruled out for offside, but the goal was eventually given.

Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards. (Image: BBC Match of the Day)

Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards has suggested the officials made a “shocking decision” to allow Bruno Fernandes’ goal to stand in the Manchester derby on Saturday.

Erik ten Hag’s side secured a 2-1 win over the Blues at Old Trafford, with Fernandes and Marcus Rashford on target for the home side after Jack Grealish had opened the scoring for City. While United’s first goal was initially disallowed by the linesman, it was eventually awarded.

Rashford was behind the last City defender when he looked to run onto a through ball from Casemiro, but the England international opted to leave it to Fernandes – who had arrived from deep – who stroked his effort past Ederson to level proceedings.

The decision to give the goal caused plenty of controversy, with many people suggesting that Rashford, despite not touching the ball, had still interfered with play. Former City full-back Richards insisted that United’s equaliser should not have stood, claiming that the Reds forward was clearly involved.

“It’s a shocking decision, let’s be honest,” Richards told Match of the Day. “Me, as a defender, if you’re playing up front and you run offside, I’m constantly adjusting my position towards where you’re going to be.

“So I’m not worried about anything behind me – I’m worried about you. If you’re offside, we’re not bothered. You’re trying to keep a high line, which is an art in defending, so now they’re stopping you from doing the defending.”

Host Gary Lineker then asked whether Rashford was interfering with play despite not touching the ball, to which Richards replied: “Of course he was.”

Former referee Chris Foy stated that the decision to award the goal was correct, arguing that Rashford had not actually interfered with play.

“The offside law, Law 11, says a player can be penalised if he’s interfering with an opponent by making an obvious action ‘which clearly impacts on the ability of an opponent to play the ball’,” he wrote in his Daily Mail column. “It’s subjective, of course it is. But as I say, no reason why the goal shouldn’t stand.”

Source: manchestereveningnews.co.uk