This was not simply a marginal offside call. The key question was whether the player in an offside position interfered with the action, a judgement that sits at the heart of VAR’s responsibility.
VAR was introduced to reduce decisive errors, particularly in goalscoring incidents. When an incorrect decision survives the review process, the scrutiny is inevitably greater than it would be for an isolated on-field mistake.
Donohue has been refereeing in the EFL since the incident, and his reported return to Premier League assignments will bring immediate attention. That move does not erase the error, but it reflects the difficult balance between accountability and allowing officials to continue their careers after a serious mistake.
The next assignment will be judged through the lens of the Manchester derby controversy. Every offside review, every delayed restart and every explanation will attract more focus than usual.
The episode also renews debate over how clearly interference is defined and communicated. Supporters can accept that some decisions involve judgement, but confidence falls when the explanation arrives only after the final whistle.
For Donohue, the challenge is not to avoid every contentious call. It is to show that the process is sharper, the communication is clearer and the next major decision is handled with authority.
His first Premier League appointment will become the next storyline, with the performance of the VAR team watched as closely as the match itself.