Maresca slams VAR focus as Man City beat Man United 1-0 with 10 men
Enzo Maresca says it is "quite poor" that Erling Haaland's controversial winner has overshadowed Manchester City's 1-0 Premier League win at Manchester United, where they played 70-75 minutes with 10 men after Phil Foden's red card.
- Result: Manchester United 0-1 Manchester City
- Goal: Erling Haaland (60th minute)
- Red card: Phil Foden (Manchester City) 23rd minute
- Next fixture: Manchester City host Norwich City in the Carabao Cup third round on Thursday (19:30 BST)
- Following match: Sunderland away in the Premier League on Sunday, 20 September (14:00)
- Context: City's fourth successive league win; VAR error later admitted by Pro Ref chief Howard Webb
What was said
"Talking about one episode or one moment after that game when we played for 70-75 minutes with 10 players, I think it's quite poor. I think the performance was unbelievable, and I'm pleased with the performance."
"There is knowledge that there was a mistake and that's all. Sometimes it goes for you, sometimes against you. It's football."
"Three years ago when I was here [as Guardiola's assistant], it happened the exact same against United. The goal was not a regular goal and no one apologised. We are still waiting for the apology for that."
"I was really disappointed with this outcome. We all are. 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."
"The VAR gets super-focused on Haaland. He establishes he's onside, he thinks that's a good goal. He doesn't truly evaluate the full impact of Fernandez's position. He has a look to see if he touches the ball, because then that relates to potentially knocking it to Haaland, who goes on to score."
Maresca's frustration is clear: he feels the narrative has ignored the tactical discipline of a City side that defended a one-goal lead for over an hour with ten men. The Italian also used the platform to remind everyone that City have been on the wrong end of similar calls before, specifically referencing a 2-1 defeat at United in January 2023 when he was Pep Guardiola's assistant.
Webb's admission, made on 'Match Officials Mic'd Up', is a rare public acknowledgement of an error. He accepted that the VAR did not consider whether Enzo Fernandez was offside before Haaland turned home the winner, despite Fernandez diving at the ball in a central position and interfering with opponents. The referees' body subsequently ruled that the on-field decision to disallow Haaland's goal for offside should have stood because of that missed offence.
Why Maresca is right to defend the performance
Playing 70-75 minutes with 10 men at Old Trafford is a legitimate achievement, and Erling Haaland's winner was the only goal of the game despite United hitting the post either side of half-time. Phil Foden's 23rd-minute red card for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes forced City into a defensive shape that nullified United's pressure. Enzo Fernandez's position in the build-up to the goal became the centre of the controversy, but from a coaching perspective, Maresca will point to the resilience of his remaining outfield players.
The goal itself was initially disallowed on the field for offside, then awarded after the virtual assistant referee found Haaland just onside. That sequence is what Pro Ref later deemed incorrect, not because Haaland was offside but because Fernandez's interference should have been penalised. The distinction matters: Maresca is not claiming the decision was correct in every detail, only that the fallout has unfairly dominated the analysis.
Whether you agree with Maresca or not, his comments reveal a manager still adapting to the intensity of the Manchester rivalry. He succeeded Pep Guardiola in the summer and is already dealing with the kind of VAR storm that defined Guardiola's later years. The fact that City have now won four successive league games while navigating such a contentious afternoon suggests the squad is buying into his methods.
Talking points
- Maresca is wrong to call the focus "quite poor" — a clear and admitted VAR error that decided a Manchester derby will always dominate the post-match conversation.
- City's 10-man rearguard was excellent, but United hitting the post twice shows the result could easily have gone the other way.
- Howard Webb's public apology sets a dangerous precedent; officials are already under intense pressure and every future mistake will invite the same scrutiny.
- Fernandez's role in the goal will be forgotten by most fans, but it is the exact type of offside interference that VAR was supposed to eliminate.
What happens next
Manchester City host Norwich City in the Carabao Cup third round on Thursday (19:30 BST), giving Maresca a chance to rotate his squad after the exertions of the derby. They then return to Premier League action away at Sunderland on Sunday, 20 September (14:00). With four straight league wins already secured, City will want to maintain that momentum at the Stadium of Light before the focus shifts fully to the title race.
Frequently asked questions
What was the score in Manchester United vs Manchester City?
Manchester City won 1-0 at Old Trafford, with Erling Haaland scoring on the hour mark.
Why was Phil Foden sent off?
Foden was shown a red card in the 23rd minute for kicking out at Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes.
Did VAR make a mistake for Haaland's goal?
Yes. Pro Ref chief Howard Webb admitted the VAR did not consider whether Enzo Fernandez was offside before Haaland scored, and the referees' body later ruled the decision to award the goal was incorrect.
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