Enzo Maresca defends Man City derby win after Pro Ref admits offside VAR error

Maresca defends derby victory

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca defended his team's performance following their 1-0 victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford. City played with 10 players for more than an hour after Phil Foden received a red card in the 23rd minute for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes. Erling Haaland scored the decisive goal around the 60th minute, which on-field officials initially ruled out for offside before a video review overturned the call. The victory moved Manchester City to 12 points, placing them level with Arsenal near the top of the Premier League table. Maresca expressed frustration that post-match discussion centred on the controversial goal rather than City's tactical discipline while shorthanded.

To talk about one moment after that game when we played for 70, 75 minutes with 10 players is quite poor. I think the performance was unbelievable and I'm pleased.

Refereeing body admits offside error

English refereeing body Pro Ref confirmed that the video assistant referee team erred in allowing Haaland's goal to stand. Chief refereeing officer Howard Webb explained on television that the semi-automated offside technology quickly established Haaland was onside. However, the video official failed to evaluate the full attacking phase and overlooked Enzo Fernandez's attempt to play the ball from an offside position. Webb attributed the mistake to tunnel vision, noting the official checked if Fernandez touched the ball but missed his broader influence. Pro Ref contacted Manchester United to formally acknowledge the officiating error. Webb announced that VAR Matt Donohue and assistant VAR Blake Antrobus will not officiate fixtures until after the international break. Manchester United manager Michael Carrick criticized the decision, which left United with two defeats in four Premier League matches.

Callbacks to the 2023 Old Trafford incident

Maresca responded to the controversy by recalling Manchester City's 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford on 13 January 2023, when he served as assistant coach under Pep Guardiola. During that match, Bruno Fernandes scored an equalizer despite Marcus Rashford running from an offside position in the build-up before United scored a subsequent winner. Maresca noted that Manchester City never received an apology from refereeing administrators for that incident three years ago. The manager offered sympathy for match officials, stating that making decisions in 10 to 20 seconds under intense scrutiny inevitably leads to human mistakes.

Three years ago when I was here, it happened exactly the same against Man United. We lost the derby there. The goal was not a regular goal, if you remember, and, to be honest, no one apologised. We are still waiting for the apology for that goal. Sometimes it happens for you, sometimes it happens against you. It's football.

Squad adjustments for Norwich cup tie

Manchester City host Championship side Norwich City on Thursday in the third round of the Carabao Cup, a competition without video review technology in operation. Phil Foden will miss the match as he begins a three-match domestic suspension for his red card. Maresca confirmed plans to rotate the squad by including teenagers Ryan McAidoo, Kaden Braithwaite, and Floyd Samba on the team sheet. Summer signings Allan and goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli are in line to make their competitive debuts for the club. Winger Jérémy Doku is also nearing a return after recovering from a calf injury sustained in the Community Shield. Manchester United host Brighton on Wednesday in their own cup fixture before travelling to Fulham on Sunday.