Maresca Defends City Amid Haaland Controversy and Foden Suspension

Enzo Maresca was in no mood to let Erling Haaland’s controversial goal dominate the post-derby narrative. Not after what his Manchester City side had just gone through at Old Trafford.

“To talk about one moment after that game when we played for 70, 75 minutes with 10 players is quite poor,” he said, firmly. City, a man down for most of the afternoon, had still gone toe-to-toe with Manchester United. “I think the performance was unbelievable and I’m pleased.”

The debate has raged around Haaland’s strike and the officiating, but Maresca’s irritation runs deeper than a single decision. It taps into a grievance that stretches back to 2023 and a goal that still rankles inside the club.

He pointed straight to Marcus Rashford’s highly contentious involvement in a United goal against City, when the forward was judged not to be interfering with play. “Sometimes it goes for you, sometimes against you,” Maresca said. “Three years ago when I was here happened the exact same against Manchester United. The goal was not a regular goal and no one apologised. We are still waiting for the apology for that.”

The message was clear: City have lived on the wrong side of fine margins before. They didn’t get contrition then, and they are not expecting any now.

Foden’s flashpoint and a costly suspension

If the Haaland incident has dominated the external noise, inside City the more pressing issue is Phil Foden’s red card and the hole it leaves in Maresca’s plans.

The young England star knew immediately he had crossed a line. “At half-time he was upset and sad because he knew it was something wrong,” Maresca revealed. The raw emotion of the moment gave way to a calmer reflection. “After the game he was a bit more relieved and happy. Yesterday he was very good. He knows that the reaction was probably not a good one but it is finished and we move on.”

Move on they must, but not with Foden on the pitch. The suspension bites hard.

“It’s a big one,” Maresca admitted. “He was doing well with us. He started quite well [before his red card]. Now he is out tomorrow [against Norwich] and for Sunderland and Liverpool. Then he is back again.”

City are still weighing up whether to appeal the red card, with Maresca conceding he is not sure if the club will take that route. For now, he has to plan for life without one of his most influential players in three consecutive fixtures across competitions.

Chance for the squad players to step forward

Foden’s absence forces change, but Maresca is determined to frame it as opportunity, not disruption.

“The ones that are going to play, I’m sure that they are going to play important games, in the Premier League or Champions League,” he said. This is the part of the season when managers talk about rhythm and rotation, but Maresca is already looking ahead to the slog that lies beyond the early weeks.

“Now it’s early season with no injuries or suspended players. In November, December, January and February, with the amount of games, we will need rest. The players that are going to play tomorrow, it’s an opportunity for them to get better and better. At some point we need them.”

Norwich arrive as the next assignment, and for those on the fringes, this is the kind of night that can shift careers. Maresca’s message to them is blunt: you will be needed when the calendar tightens, but you have to prove it now.

League Cup no afterthought for Maresca

For some elite clubs, the League Cup can feel like an optional extra. Maresca refuses to treat it that way.

“One more competition. We need to compete in all of the competitions. We will try our best and we will see where we finish,” he said. No talk of prioritising, no suggestion that this is just a stage for the reserves. City’s standards, he insists, do not bend to the badge on the opposition shirt.

He has said before that he prefers to face Premier League sides in cup ties, a stance rooted in his belief that the sharpest tests bring the best out of his squad. Asked if he still feels that way, his answer was instant.

“Absolutely. They are all tricky games, different games. We need to do our job in the right way and I have no doubt it will be a tricky game for many reasons.”

So the derby fallout rolls on: controversy over Haaland’s goal, a red card for Foden, an unresolved sense of injustice stretching back years. Maresca, though, has nailed his position. No apologies are coming. The response, he insists, has to arrive on the pitch, in Norwich, Sunderland, Liverpool and beyond.