Manchester United were booed off at Old Trafford after losing 1-0 to 10-man Manchester City in the Manchester derby, with Erling Haaland scoring the controversial winner.
City played with a numerical disadvantage for more than an hour after Phil Foden was sent off in the 23rd minute for lashing out at United captain Bruno Fernandes. Despite that, they still beat their great rivals on their own patch, highlighting the gap between the two Manchester clubs.
The away end chanted “We’ve only got 10 men”, a damning assessment of United’s performance. At the final whistle, loud boos rang around Old Trafford as the United faithful expressed their frustration.
Controversial Goal Decides Derby
Even City’s goal did not feel right. Haaland smashed the ball into the net, but the debate centred on whether Enzo Fernandez was interfering with play and stopped Lisandro Martinez from playing the ball. Fernandez was miles offside but was deemed not to be interfering with play.
The whole of the football world felt as if the officials, referee Michael Oliver and the VAR team, got it wrong. But only their decision counts.
United hit the woodwork twice, and Bryan Mbeumo was denied by Gianluigi Donnarumma in the 95th minute. But United were simply not good enough, lumping the ball into the box in desperation. They could not find a way through because they lacked quality and guile.
Carrick’s United Struggle While Maresca’s City Impress
This fixture last season proved to be Michael Carrick’s starting point. Carrick was brought in as a caretaker, he beat City in his opening game, and the momentum carried them into the Champions League places. But passion and legendary status get you so far. They have made a dodgy start to the campaign, the Carrick feel good factor has ebbed away, and now it feels they are back to square one.
Meanwhile, City are on the up. Elliot Anderson, City’s £116m summer signing who chose the Etihad over Old Trafford, was comfortably the best player on the pitch. Anderson was incredible in front of England boss Thomas Tuchel in the stands.
At the final whistle, Enzo Maresca went over to the away end, including celebrity fan Liam Gallagher, and punched the air and celebrated in style. Maresca rarely showed such passion while in charge at Chelsea but is quickly finding his feet in the impossible job taking over from Pep Guardiola. Four wins out of four – what a start.
Foden’s Red Card and United’s Missed Chances
It did not look like that would be possible when Foden got his marching orders. Foden snapped and kicked out at Fernandes, who kicked him first. Why on earth Fernandes got away scot free is anyone’s guess. But referee Oliver had no hesitation and sent off Foden, who now has more red cards (one) than goals in 2026.
Marcus Rashford and Robbie Mainoo both hit the woodwork either side of half time. City sent on Iliman Ndiaye for Rayan Cherki for his work rate. Ndiaye just typified City’s determination.
The goal came after an hour. Josko Gvardiol’s cross was deflected by Patrick Dorgu, who played Haaland onside. But Fernandez was yards ahead and clearly impacted on Martinez’s ability to clear the danger before the ball reached Haaland. Haaland thumped into the net, celebrated, and then got a second chance to celebrate when VAR allowed it to stand.
United piled forward but with little imagination. Mbeumo should have scored at the death, but his wayward finishing – and a brilliant save – just typified United’s sloppiness. This was a crash landing for United and Carrick, but it feels like lift-off for Maresca’s City.
