Why hello there! This is Beyond The Pitch, where we explore the scores and fixtures of the FIFA World Cup, Premier League, and the English Football League, from The Pitch to The Headlines.

MANCHESTER DERBY: VAR DID NOT CONSIDER FERNANDEZ BEING OFFSIDE

Referees' chief, Howard Webb, has admitted that the video assistant referee (VAR) did not even consider whether Enzo Fernandez was offside for Erling Haaland's controversial winner in Sunday's Manchester derby.

Haaland thought he had scored the only goal of the game at Old Trafford in the 60th minute, but it was disallowed on the field for offside. A VAR review found Haaland was just onside, and the goal was awarded.

However, it had then become apparent that the VAR had made an error in failing to identify that Enzo Fernandez was interfering with play in an offside position. 

"I was really disappointed with this outcome. We all are," said Webb, Premier League refereeing body Pro Ref's chief refereeing officer.

"None more so than the officials themselves. They take a lot of personal pride in what they do, and they're obviously hurting now, having fallen short in this situation.

"They'll not be officiating again until after the international break."

Manchester City players speaking with referee Michael Oliver | Source: BBC Sport
 

TUCHEL REGRETS NOT EATING AZTECA TURF AFTER MEXICO'S WIN

England beat Mexico 3-2 in the last-16 tie in July, despite playing much of the second half with 10 men following Jarell Quansah's red card.

During an interview with Daniel Sturridge for the FA's feature 'Reflections: England's World Cup Journey', he said, "I texted a friend after the match, and I just wrote, 'I regret that I didn't eat some grass after the match to keep something from this in my body forever.'"

England's victory was only the third time Mexico had tasted defeat at the stadium in 90 competitive matches.

England are next in action against World Cup winners Spain on 26 September in their 2026-27 Uefa Nations League opener, with the 2028 European Championships also on Tuchel's radar.

Thomas Tuchel | Source: BBC Sport
 

JJ GABRIEL ON BRINK OF LEAVING MAN UTD

Even though he was only 14 when the season began, he won the Premier League Under-18 Player of the Year award last season, in addition to being named United's Under-18 Player of the Year.

He made his senior debut for United in their pre-season game against Atletico Madrid in Stockholm last month, scored a hat-trick on his Uefa Youth League debut last week and had been expected to make his competitive bow in Wednesday night's Carabao Cup tie with Brighton.

Gabriel did not train with Michael Carrick's squad at the end of last week amid issues in the relationship between the player's family and United. Gabriel has sent a formal notice that he wants to cancel his registration with immediate effect, but United can challenge the request.

JJ Gabriel | Source: BBC Sport

What do you think about the VAR controversy in the Manchester derby?

Let me know in the comments below.