Enzo Maresca has questioned why Bruno Fernandes escaped punishment for his part in the flashpoint that saw Phil Foden sent off during Manchester City’s 1-0 win at Old Trafford, insisting referee Michael Oliver should have shown red to both players rather than one.
City claimed victory in Sunday’s Manchester derby despite playing almost 70 minutes with ten men, after Foden was dismissed in the 23rd minute for kicking out at Fernandes during a first-half melee.
Replays suggested the United captain had caught Foden while the City midfielder was down, prompting the reaction that persuaded Oliver, backed by VAR, to produce his red card.
Erling Haaland’s second-half goal, awarded after a lengthy VAR review into a potential offside in the build-up, proved the difference at a raucous Old Trafford.
It was Maresca’s first Manchester derby since replacing Pep Guardiola in the summer, and the Italian made clear afterwards that he felt the officials had let United’s captain off lightly.
Asked about the sending-off, Maresca did not hold back.
“It can be a red card [for Phil Foden], but I think in the same action it can be a red card for Bruno [Fernandes], in the same action. So, anyway. It is what it is. Red card for us. We won,” he said.
Manchester City’s masterclasse despite red card
Reduced to ten players for the majority of the game, City were forced to abandon their approach and instead soak up pressure against a United side chasing an equaliser for well over an hour.
Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo both struck the woodwork as the hosts searched for a leveller, but City held firm behind a disciplined rearguard before Haaland’s finish settled the contest.
Maresca conceded the dismissal reshaped his gameplan entirely, but argued it also robbed United of the space they might otherwise have exploited on the counter.
“I think it [Phil Foden’s red card] changed the plan for us, but also for them! They’re a fantastic team, unbelievable, in transition. The moment we were with 10 players, we didn’t give them any transitions because they were with the ball!” he said.
The former Leicester and Chelsea head coach described the closing stages as frantic as United threw everything at City in search of a way back into the game.
“What a chaos! The red card changed a little bit the plan of the game, but credit to the players because the effort, spirit, togetherness has been brilliant!” Maresca added.
Result sends City top of the table with Arsenal
The win moves Maresca’s side level on maximum points from their opening four Premier League fixtures, keeping pace with early leaders Arsenal as the Italian’s reign at the Etihad begins with a statement result against City’s fiercest rivals.
It is City’s first victory over United since Guardiola’s departure at the end of last season, and comes in Maresca’s first taste of the fixture as a head coach rather than as a member of the City backroom staff.
Meanwhile , it is a first defeat in the derby for Michael Carrick since stepping into the role, and one that will sting given the numerical advantage his side held for the bulk of the match.
United will point to the offside controversy surrounding Haaland’s goal as further cause for grievance, but Maresca and his players left Old Trafford satisfied that the three points, however they arrived, were thoroughly deserved.
