Erling Haaland's contentious goal gave 10-man Manchester City a 1-0 win at Old Trafford, denying Manchester United the derby bragging rights. Phil Foden was sent off in the first half, but City held on to maintain their perfect start to the Premier League season.
Foden's red card and United's failure to capitalise
City's task was made harder in the 23rd minute when Foden was shown the red card by Michael Oliver for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes. United failed to make the most of their numerical advantage, with Marcus Rashford's long-range free-kick onto the post the closest they came in a tight first half.
Kobbie Mainoo rattled the post with a curling effort from the edge of the box before 10-man City took the lead through Haaland's back-post finish from Josko Gvardiol's deflected cross. The goal was initially ruled out for offside before VAR eventually confirmed that Patrick Dorgu had played the Norwegian onside, despite suggestions Enzo Fernandez had interfered.
City's resilience and Haaland's decisive strike
Senne Lammens tipped Fernandez's shot onto the post as City then threatened to go two goals up. Bryan Mbeumo headed just wide before Haaland steered a low Fernandez free-kick wide as the game finally opened up in the closing stages.
Gianluigi Donnarumma saved from Mbeumo in added time as City successfully shut up shop and claimed the spoils from the Manchester Derby to maintain their perfect record and keep pace with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.
Foden sees red
Maybe being a local lad got the better of him, but really Foden has nobody to blame but himself. He was right to be angry at Fernandes, who had left a bit on him and at least deserved a yellow himself. But his reaction was stupid and, in the age of VAR, was only going to bring one outcome. Enzo Maresca was suddenly left ruing his instruction to 'embrace the chaos'.
The incident brought back memories of David Beckham and Diego Simeone and left his team-mates facing an uphill battle at Old Trafford. Erling Haaland's reaction, telling him to get off the pitch, told a story.
10 vs 11 stalemate
The red card should have encouraged United to push on and search for the opening goal, but instead it poured water on their flames. Maresca shuffled Rayan Cherki over onto the right wing, where Foden had been, creating a 4-4-1 formation and, if anything, the away side looked the better team for the remainder of the first half.
The space that had been there beforehand, with Elliot Anderson being asked to track Fernandes and deal with Matheus Cunha dropping off the backline, was suddenly neutralised as Enzo Fernandez retreated alongside his midfield partner. And that made for a dull spectacle and a frustrated Old Trafford crowd.
Offside confusion
In essence it was a simple decision. The linesman had flagged Haaland offside - and to TV viewers it appeared a straightforward decision, with the City striker ahead of Lisandro Martinez at the back post. But it was simply a trick of the eyes, with Sky's cameras not in line.
As it often does, VAR took an age. Eventually we were treated to the semi-automated offside replay, which showed Dorgu's outstretched foot, while trying to charge down Gvardiol's cross, had just kept Haaland onside. But the theories kept on coming. "Surely it's offside. Martinez is impacted by Enzo's movement, and he is offside," Wayne Rooney said on the BBC, while Gary Neville made the same point on co-commentary for Sky Sports.
Maresca deserves credit
City have made a perfect start to the 2026/27 season, for which they deserve plenty of credit. Having lost Pep Guardiola and reshaped the squad in a busy summer transfer window, it would have been understandable if it took time for Maresca to get things moving.
But they've won all four Premier League games to keep pace with defending champions Arsenal, as well as dealing with a trip to Porto in the Champions League. Since the Community Shield, they have resembled the City juggernaut of old. City always wanted Maresca to succeed Guardiola - and now we are seeing why.
Disappointing United
Foden was sent off in the 23rd minute, yet a casual viewer would not have known City were down to 10 men, bar the little red icon below their club badge in the corner of the screen.
The way City managed their lead was textbook. They frustrated United, played the percentages, won free-kicks and wasted time. United, for their part, had no answer, with Fernandes unable to conjure something, Rashford shackled and Cunha ineffective, while Mbeumo spurned two good chances.
Michael Carrick's only trump card, bringing on Benjamin Sesko, also had no effect and the sight of Joshua Zirkzee - a player unwanted by United two weeks ago - coming on in the closing stages told a story.
