{
  "id": 7250608,
  "title": "EPL: ‘Why I left Haaland unmarked’ – Lisandro Martinez laments Man United defeat to Man City",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/epl-why-i-left-haaland-unmarked-lisandro-martinez-laments-man-united",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-14T05:15:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/14/epl-why-i-left-haaland-unmarked-lisandro-martinez-laments-man-united-defeat-to-man-city/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has divulged his reasoning behind not focusing on marking Erling Haaland before the Norwegian scored the game-winning goal during Sunday's Manchester derby. The Argentine, visibly aggrieved, branded the situation an \"injustice\" following a controversial VAR decision. He argued that Manchester City's Enzo Fernandez was in an offside position prior to Haaland's decisive strike, which left the Manchester United center-back unmarked at the back post. Martinez disclosed to reporters post-match, \"I believe [Fernandez] was offside. What I find perplexing are the rules.\" He continued, \"He was right there! I approached him because he was directly in front of me. That is why Haaland was unmarked at the back.\" The United defender also criticized the standard of refereeing in the Premier League, stating, \"I strive to remain composed, but it is incredibly challenging. Each season, officials come to our club and spend an hour clarifying the rules, appearing very confident in their explanations. Yet, having five or six officials making such errors in the Premier League is simply unacceptable. We have to return home with this sense of injustice.\" When asked if he would have marked Haaland had Fernandez not been present, Martinez replied unequivocally, \"Absolutely, it is as straightforward as that.\" Following this loss, Manchester United finds themselves in 13th position in the Premier League table, having earned four points from four matches. Their record includes one win, one draw, and two defeats, with seven goals scored and conceded.",
  "summary": "Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has explained why he did not bother about marking Erling Haaland prior to the Norwegian’s goal in the Manchester derby on Sunday. The Argentine expressed his discontent following the contentious VAR decision that led to his team’s 1-0 loss to Manchester City. He labelled the situation an “injustice.” The Argentine centre-back […] EPL: ‘Why I left…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Haaland fires 10-man Man City to memorable win over Man Utd",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/haaland-fires-10-man-man-city-to-memorable-win-over-man-utd",
        "published": "2026-09-13T17:50:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "Haaland scores controversial winner for 10-man City at Man Utd",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/haaland-scores-controversial-winner-for-10-man-city-at-man-utd",
        "published": "2026-09-13T18:04:12.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Haaland fires 10-man Man City to memorable win over Man Utd",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/haaland-fires-10-man-man-city-to-memorable-win-over-man-utd-7149061",
        "published": "2026-09-13T18:15:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Haaland fires 10-man Man City to memorable win over Man Utd",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/haaland-fires-10-man-man-city-to-memorable-win-over-man-utd-7151547",
        "published": "2026-09-13T18:42:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "SABC News",
        "title": "Haaland strike gives Man City 1-0 win over Man United",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/haaland-strike-gives-man-city-1-0-win-over-man-united",
        "published": "2026-09-13T19:05:33.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Haaland fires 10-man Man City to memorable win over Man Utd",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/haaland-fires-10-man-man-city-to-memorable-win-over-man-utd-7181890",
        "published": "2026-09-13T21:03:13.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Haaland scores controversial winner for 10-man City at Man Utd",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/haaland-scores-controversial-winner-for-10-man-city-at-man-utd-7179241",
        "published": "2026-09-13T21:09:56.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Haaland fires 10-man Man City to memorable win over Man Utd",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/haaland-fires-10-man-man-city-to-memorable-win-over-man-utd-7191519",
        "published": "2026-09-13T22:43:51.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}