Manchester United 0-1 Manchester City: Maresca’s 10 men claim controversial derby win

Manchester City claimed derby day glory at Old Trafford despite Phil Foden’s red card as Erling Haaland’s controversial second-half goal was enough for a 1-0 victory. Manchester United.

Foden’s loss of composure looked like it could condemn City to a first defeat of the season. Foden’s response to being kicked to the turf by Bruno Fernandes was to kick the Portuguese in the stomach, and referee Michael Oliver did not hesitate to brandish a red card.

However, City grew noticeably into the game after going down a man, with an anemic United attack largely reduced to shots from distance, although two came close to finding the net when Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo hit the post.

And Enzo Maresca’s team were rewarded for their efforts in the face of self-imposed adversity, with Pep Guardiola’s successor tasting victory as boss in highly political circumstances.

City’s celebrations were initially cut short by the offside flag after Haaland found the top-left corner to meet Josko Gvardiol’s left-wing cross with a wonderful finish from distance.

However, after a lengthy VAR check, Patrick Dorgu was deemed to have played against Haaland. Enzo Fernández, who was clearly offside, was adjudged not to interfere with the player despite attacking the delivery while it was marked by Lisandro Martínez.

That decision sent the light blue-clad Old Trafford corner into delirium, with the only cheers that followed coming from the City fans as United labored in their futile pursuit of an equaliser.

Salvation looked close to coming for United when Fernandes produced a superb pass to Bryan Mbeumo, but Gianluigi Donnarumma served as a reminder of his quality as a goalkeeper with a stunning save.

A win in a derby that will taste especially sweet sees City keep pace defensively Premier League champion Arsenal with four wins from four. United, meanwhile, are already eight points behind the pair in a very underwhelming start to Michael Carrick’s first full season.

Although United spent much of the early years in promotion, they struggled to trouble Donnarumma, although their chances of doing so looked set to improve when Foden saw red.

Foden defended his case vehemently after his altercation with Fernandes, but the only questionable aspect of Oliver’s decision was that the United midfielder did not receive at least one yellow card for his role in the incident.

By making the long walk down the tunnel, Foden became the first City player to be sent off in a derby since Bernardo Corradi in December 2006.

City’s saving grace was that they didn’t lose a defensive player, and United’s efforts to break them down were distinctly unimpressive. Indeed, City set up a stronger point in the game after Foden’s early exit, although they were grateful for the left post when Rashford’s free-kick fired past him in first-half stoppage time.

Donnarumma was struggling again eight minutes into the second half when Maine’s effervescence from the edge of the box rattled the woodwork, with the ball eventually bouncing to safety after deflecting off the Italian keeper.

But that call was no harbinger of an intense spell of United pressure, and seven minutes later they paid the price for not taking control courtesy of Haaland’s instinctive finish.

The Norwegian talisman was somehow able to guide Gvardiol’s deflected ball into his back across goal, with Dorgu’s right foot ensuring he stayed in the game. The debate over whether Fernández interfered in the game will continue for some time.

United fired on Benjamin Sesko in response in the first leg, but only a fine save from Senne Lammens prevented City from doubling their deficit as the Belgian tipped Fernandez’s long-range effort onto the post.

Mbeumo then headed home at the other end before Haaland squandered a golden opportunity to put the game to bed from a Fernandez cross that Marc Guehi was in a better position to convert.

It looked certain City would live to rue that miss when Fernandes found Mbeumo unmarked in the area, but his effort was too close to Donnarumma, who produced heroics to secure bragging rights for Maresca’s side.

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