Enzo Maresca bristled at the narrative. A derby won with 10 men, a statement performance at Old Trafford, and all anyone wanted to talk about was a frozen VAR frame and a mistake in a booth.
For Manchester City’s manager, that misses the point.
Maresca: Focus on the football, not one frame
“It’s quite poor,” Maresca said, that Erling Haaland’s controversial winner has drowned out what his side produced in Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United.
City played the bulk of the game a man down after Phil Foden’s red card, yet still found a way. Haaland struck on the hour, the goal given after a VAR check for offside, and City walked out of Old Trafford with a fourth straight Premier League win.
The story since? Not the resilience. Not the control with 10 men. The fallout.
“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,” Maresca said ahead of Thursday’s Carabao Cup third-round tie against Norwich City. “I think the performance was unbelievable, and I’m pleased with the performance.”
A goal given, a mistake admitted
On the pitch, the assistant’s flag went up. Haaland’s finish was initially ruled out for offside. VAR intervened, the replays drew their lines, and the striker was judged just onside. Goal given. City in front.
Only later did the real error emerge.
Officials had failed to spot an offside offence by Enzo Fernandez, who dived at the ball in a central position and interfered with opponents. The Premier League refereeing body later confirmed the decision to let the goal stand was wrong.
“There is knowledge that there was a mistake and that’s all,” Maresca said. “Sometimes it goes for you, sometimes against you. It’s football.”
The Italian has been around this rivalry long enough to feel the wider context. He was on the staff when City felt a big call go the other way.
“Three years ago when I was here [as Guardiola’s assistant], it happened the exact same against United,” he recalled. “The goal was not a regular goal and no one apologised. We are still waiting for the apology for that.”
Webb: Officials “hurting” after Old Trafford error
Pro Ref’s chief Howard Webb has already gone public with his assessment. Speaking on ‘Match Officials Mic’d Up’, he did not try to soften the blow.
He confirmed the VAR team did not check whether Fernandez was offside before Haaland scored, a fundamental miss in the process.
“I was really disappointed with this outcome. We all are,” Webb said. “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 admission will not change the table, nor the result. City keep the points, United keep the frustration, and the debate over technology and human error rumbles on.
Maresca, though, has made his stance clear. His team went to Old Trafford, played most of the derby with 10 men, and still found a way to win. He is not about to let one frozen image define that.
