Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca is disappointed with the focus on the VAR error that settled last Sunday’s derby in their favour.
City claimed a 1-0 win over rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford thanks to a controversial Erling Haaland winner in the 60th minute, which maintained a perfect start to the new Premier League season for Maresca’s men.
Haaland’s goal was initially ruled out for offside, only for that decision to be overturned following a VAR check.
The Norwegian was being played onside by Patrick Dorgu, with the goal allowed to stand despite Enzo Fernandez attacking Josko Gvardiol’s cross from an offside position prior to Haaland tucking it home a the far post.
Referees body ProRef subsequently acknowledged that an “error of judgement” had been made in not disallowing the goal for Fernandez interfering with play from an offside position.
Maresca: City are still waiting for an apology
The VAR officials who came to the decision, Matt Donohue and Blake Antrobus, have been stood down in the wake of the controversy.
Maresca, though, has been irritated by the continued fallout from the decision, which has overshadowed his side’s efforts in claiming all three points despite being reduced to 10 men in the 23rd minute when Phil Foden was shown red for kicking Bruno Fernandes in the stomach in an off-the-ball incident.
Speaking ahead of Thursday’s EFL Cup tie with Norwich City, Maresca said: “To talk about one moment after that game when we played for 70, 75 minutes with 10 players is quite poor. I think the performance was unbelievable and I’m pleased.
“Tomorrow night, it’s another competition but the ambition is the same. There is no VAR but we don’t plan the game in a different way.”
Referencing a similarly controversial decision in January 2023, when Maresca was an assistant at City for a derby defeat that saw a Fernandes equaliser allowed to stand despite Marcus Rashford being stood in an offside position, the Italian added: “There is knowledge that there was a mistake and that’s all. Sometimes it goes for you sometimes against you.
“Three years ago it 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.
“Sometimes it happens for you, sometimes against you. It’s football.
“It’s not easy for the VAR and the people in front of the screen. To make a decision in 10, 20 seconds is not easy for them. Sometimes they make mistakes. I make mistakes, players make mistakes. It’s part of our job.
“It’s also complicated for them.”
Asked about Foden’s dismissal and the three-match suspension his straight red incurs, Maresca told his pre-match press conference: “At half-time he was upset and sad because he knew it was something wrong. 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.”
“It’s a big one [blow]. He was doing well with us. He started quite well [before his red card]. Now he is out tomorrow and for Sunderland and Liverpool. Then he is back again.”
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