Football NewsMirror FootballUnverified source· 14 Sept 2026
Maguire's VAR outburst resurfaces after derby controversy
A past blast at the official now at the centre of a Manchester derby storm has come back to light.
H. Maguire
player
Player
Harry Maguire
Club
Manchester United
Official
Matt Donohue
Incident
Called Donohue a 'f****** joke'
When
March
What happened. Harry Maguire branded Matt Donohue a 'f****** joke' in March while the official was fourth official in Manchester United's 2-2 draw at Bournemouth. Donohue was the VAR who allowed Erling Haaland's offside goal to stand in the Manchester derby, and he and his assistant have since been stood down by Pro Ref.
- Donohue and his assistant were stood down by Pro Ref after the derby.
- Pro Ref apologised to United over the Enzo Fernandez offside call.
- Maguire was sent off in the Bournemouth game for denying a goalscoring opportunity.
“f****** joke”
— Harry Maguire
The fallout from the derby continues as the official involved faces renewed scrutiny over a past confrontation with Maguire.
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