Maresca questions Fernandes decision after derby win
Enzo Maresca reckons Bruno Fernandes ought to have followed Phil Foden down the tunnel at Old Trafford. The City boss watched his side beat Manchester United 1-0, but the talking point was the 23rd-minute flashpoint that left him a man short.
Referee Michael Oliver showed Foden a straight red after an altercation with the United captain. The City midfielder had gone down, and Fernandes appeared to make contact with him on the ground before Foden reacted. Oliver had no hesitation.
Maresca, taking charge of his first Manchester derby, didn't argue about his own player's dismissal. His complaint was that the teams weren't evened up.
"Phil's card is a red card, but I also think the same action is a red card by Bruno," he said afterwards.
He went further, explaining that he'd looked at the incident straight away.
"I think reviewing the action, and I reviewed it immediately, it is a clear red card for Phil because it is a reaction. But you can also see Bruno [foul Foden]. But anyway, it is what it is. Red card, but we won."
The dismissal forced a rethink. Maresca had prepared for eleven against eleven, but the game changed shape entirely — for both sides.
"We had a plan for 11 vs 11, but after the red card, the game completely changed, but also for them," he added.
City dropped into a compact block and rode their luck. Marcus Rashford hit the post shortly before the break, and Kobbie Mainoo struck the woodwork after it. More than an hour with ten men, and the woodwork twice came to the rescue.
Erling Haaland settled it on the hour. One goal, three points, and City's perfect start intact — four wins from four.
Maresca might feel the officials owe him one. He won't lose sleep over it.