Maresca Defends City's Performance Amid VAR Controversy
Enzo Maresca bristled at the idea that a single refereeing flashpoint could define a derby in which his Manchester City side had emptied the tank.
To him, the story at Old Trafford was not a line on a VAR screen. It was 70-plus minutes with 10 men, a relentless defensive shift, and a ruthless finish from Erling Haaland that dragged City to a 1-0 win over Manchester United and a fourth straight league victory.
“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 derby decided – and then dissected
Haaland’s strike on the hour felt, in real time, like the classic City punch: a sharp movement, a precise run, and a finish that silenced Old Trafford. The assistant’s flag went up for offside. The stadium held its breath. VAR stepped in.
The review judged Haaland just onside. The goal stood. United protested. City celebrated.
Only later did the storm truly break.
The referees’ body confirmed the VAR team had made a crucial mistake: they had failed to penalise Enzo Fernandez, who had dived at the ball from an offside position in the middle of the box, interfering with opponents. By the letter of the law, the goal should not have stood.
From that moment, the narrative of the derby shifted. Less about City’s resilience with 10 men. More about lines, replays and an error in a darkened room.
Maresca did not pretend the officials had got it right.
“There is knowledge that there was a mistake and that's all. Sometimes it goes for you, sometimes against you. It's football,” the Italian said.
Old grievances, new anger
Maresca’s irritation runs deeper than one decision. He has seen this film before.
“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.”
Back then, City felt a key call had gone the other way in a derby defeat. No public admission. No mea culpa. Just a result that stayed on the board.
This time, the apology came quickly – at least in spirit.
Howard Webb, head of the Premier League’s refereeing body Pro Ref, conceded the officials had failed to consider whether Fernandez was offside before Haaland converted.
“I was really disappointed with this outcome. We all are,” Webb said on ‘Match Officials Mic’d Up’. “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 did nothing to change the table. City’s win remains. United’s frustration lingers. The debate rages.
Maresca’s message: look at the football
Maresca’s stance is blunt: acknowledge the mistake, then look at the match.
His team, reduced to 10 men after Phil Foden’s red card, absorbed pressure, managed the tempo and still found the moment that mattered. They left Old Trafford with three points and momentum, even as the conversation veered towards technology and human error.
The City manager is not denying the controversy. He is refusing to let it eclipse what his players produced under severe strain.
He has a cup tie against Norwich City next and a title race to navigate. VAR will continue to dominate headlines whenever it falters, but Maresca is clearly intent on shifting the spotlight back onto the pitch.
The question now is whether anyone will listen.
