Manchester City

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Man City fan Steven McInerney says his side "fought for each other" and were "absolute warriors" in their 1-0 derby win over Manchester United on Sunday.

Enzo Maresca's side have taken maximum points from their first four games of the Premier League season, but none will taste sweeter than beating their bitter rivals on their own turf while down to 10 men.

"Every player on that pitch today - absolute warriors," McInerney said. "This team could have crumbled but no, they showed immense spirit. They all fought for each other. Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernandez in that midfield, absolute warriors, the pair of them.

Anderson was awarded Player of the Match for his performance in his first Manchester derby.

Speaking after the match, he touched on his side's ability to dig out a result with their backs against the wall after Phil Foden's 23rd-minute dismissal for violent conduct.

"There is no doubt we have all the quality, but we are showing real mentality in the first four games, especially in this one," the £116m summer signing said.

"Not giving up, fighting for every tackle, every duel and waiting for our chance - and obviously Erling [Haaland] scores."

City fan McInerney added: "Five wins out of five for Maresca's City side. They've shown real character and an intense desire to run for each other."

What do you make of City's mentality in the early stages of Maresca's tenure? Have they shown an ability to dig in when the odds against their favour and is this something you're impressed by?

Get in touch with your views here

Watch Steve's full reaction to the Manchester derby here

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If you go to Old Trafford in a derby, go down to 10 men in the first 25 minutes and still come away with a 1-0 victory, it tells you a lot about your players.

Sunday's result was a statement win for Manchester City's new manager Enzo Maresca, who got his tactics spot on, but his team's performance will have showed him exactly what they are about.

I am talking about the mentality, discipline, organisation and energy you need in order to get a result when things go wrong for you like that in a game.

They were smart too, and that experience and ability not to panic goes a long way in football in situations like the one City faced following Phil Foden's early red card.

City are used to always having most of the ball but they were fine without it against Manchester United. That is down to leadership and communication - not just from the manager, but from the players on the field.

Maresca deserves plenty of credit for his decisions too, but he must be thinking he is a lucky man for having the group of players he does, because their intelligence and resilience was key.

When it was 11 v 11, I thought United were the better team.

They pinned City back and were really bright going forward. Marcus Rashford, especially, was really positive and it felt like Michael Carrick's side were in the ascendancy.

The sending-off, which was the right decision by the way, kind of stopped United's momentum a little bit and also basically told City how they were going to have to play - they were going to have to defend for most of the game.

It is not what they are used to, but when you've got really experienced international players who are comfortable and calm, they don't really mind having to adapt.

They actually seemed to enjoy the challenge, and straight away they were well-organised and very disciplined.

United did not really create too much in the second part of the first half, other than a Rashford free-kick that hit the post, but I was thinking they would make a few tweaks at half-time and come out and really go after City. That didn't happen though.

Read more from Murphy here

Jess Anderson
BBC Sport journalist

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The disputed Erling Haaland goal came after a first half laced with controversy, with Phil Foden shown a straight red for kicking out at midfielder Bruno Fernandes.

Manchester City midfielder Foden picked up the ball wide on the right-hand side in his own half and was closed down by Fernandes, who tripped him.

Foden then kicked out at the body of the Manchester United captain while on the ground and was shown a straight red card by the referee.

Replays showed that Fernandes kicked Foden in the back first, before the City man retaliated.

The incident was checked by the VAR, who confirmed the on-field decision; Fernandes was not shown a card.

Pundits were divided on whether Foden should have seen red and whether Fernandes was the man at fault.

Former United forward Wayne Rooney did not believe it was a red, saying "it was more of a flick or a gesture, than a kick out".

Ex-United defender Gary Neville said he was "surprised" Fernandes did not receive a booking for his role while former Old Trafford midfielder Roy Keane said the fault lay with the Portuguese.

"Foden gets up and reacts obviously, so he's sent off," he said. "Fernandes catches him and gives him a little kick. I guess it's classed as violent. But Fernandes is the one who is violent here - I don't think Foden should have a red card."

Dale Johnson, BBC Sport football issues correspondent, said: "The referee and VAR would have to deem it violent conduct rather than just petulance from Fernandes.

"The guidance changed some years ago to factor that in, so David Beckham's kick on Diego Simeone in the 1998 World Cup would not result in a sending off today.

"It looked to me like there was little to no contact from Fernandes, and if there was it was limited force and wasn't followed through.

"So Bruno's act would be seen as a yellow card offence, which the VAR obviously can't get involved in."

Watch ex-Premier League midfielder Danny Murphy and Rooney debate the sending off on Match of the Day below...

Watch Sunday's episode of Match of the Day on BBC iPlayer

Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter

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Manchester City are showing "real mentality" and "not giving up" in matches this season, says midfielder Elliot Anderson.

The England international has settled in seamlessly since joining from Nottingham Forest this summer, being named man of the match in Sunday's derby victory at rivals Manchester United.

City earned an impressive victory courtesy of Erling Haaland's controversial goal, despite playing almost 70 minutes with 10 men following Phil Foden's dismissal for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes.

The result means City have started the campaign in impressive fashion under Enzo Maresca, collecting four straight Premier League wins to sit second in the table, behind champions Arsenal on goal difference.

Anderson said: "There is no doubt we have all the quality, but we are showing real mentality in the first four games, especially in this one.

"Not giving up, fighting for every tackle, every duel and waiting for our chance - and obviously Erling scores.

"I just gave everything for the team in the duels and playing through the lines. I thought I had done quite well in just staying calm in possession with the team and helping everyone."

Anderson was part of City's expensive midfield rebuild this summer and started alongside Enzo Fernandez.

"He's very good," said Anderson. "He shows real quality on the ball and knowing you have got someone alongside you who has got your back is a massive help. He is top."

Asked if Fernandez was horrible to play against but one that team-mates love to play alongside, Anderson replied: "Yeah, he is.

"I found that obviously before I was playing with him, but he is a brilliant guy and he a real top player."

Hit play below to hear more from Anderson or listen on BBC Sounds here

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Manchester United and Manchester City.

Here are some of your comments:

Man Utd fans

Adrian: I just think United lack some real talent. It feels like we are getting left behind. This indifferent performance seems to be the norm nowadays. I think United need a summit at the very least to discuss the club in totality. I think Sir Alex Ferguson would be ideal to head up it up. City are now where United should be.

Ruso: Time's up for Carrick. At this rate United will not even finish in the top 10. Must stop playing Cunha as a striker. Sesko provides much more danger in the box than Cunha.

Mark: Not sure what is going on at United - proven striker who does not start games and an attacking left-sided player at left-back. While I think Carrick can turn things around, he needs to push to get proper cover at left-back if Amass is not ready and trust his only out-and-out striker to start. The only bright sparks seem to come from Lammens, Mainoo and Mbeumo. The less said about the never-ending list of mistakes by VAR, the better. VAR is not fit for purpose, in my opinion.

Simon: The awful decision to allow the goal to stand aside, this latest poor performance and loss showed the biggest United flaw - attitude. As soon as the red card was issued, I knew the game was going to be tougher. We didn't press and we didn't force mistakes. We had no hunger, no desire to show up our biggest rivals and no-one on the bench capable of changing the game. What has Manchester United come to when winning against Sabah is the highlight of the week?

Man City fans

David: A statement win for us. The battling spirit, control and resilience of the 10 who stayed on the pitch was awesome, but it was telling that we improved after Foden went off. Ridiculous reaction to the Fernandes kick. I won't be upset to see him go if the club decides he's had his chance. The contrast between his behaviour and the rest of the team was stark. That said, the officiating of that game was a joke - how Fernandes stayed on the pitch is beyond me and the goal was very marginal. But, a great step forward - in Enzo we trust!

Doug: City are still learning off each other and the new system, but they rode their luck and fought well. Probably a double red. Red for Fernandes for the bad tackle and kick, then Foden shouldn't retaliate. Pleased with the resilience and a team-bonding win.

Brian: What a result and how good does this feel for the team and fans? Derby matches are always competitive and this lived up to all expectations. City proved that this squad can only get better with each game. They have passion, belief, skill and determination. It was not easy and everyone played their part when going down to 10 men. I watched this in Majorca and it felt great to sing Blue Moon on a fabulous Sunday evening. City are very much back in business.

Sajid: If this was a Guardiola team then United would have won it. This Maresca team is more robust in defence and will not concede many goals. Gone are the days of fully fledged attacking and possession domination by City.

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

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The curiosity about this incident is that the goal was initially disallowed for the wrong reason. Erling Haaland was flagged offside when he shouldn't have been.

But as it turned out, the goal should have been ruled out because Enzo Fernandez was offside.

There is one key part of the offside law which applies to Fernandez here. A player is offside if they are:

"Clearly attempting to play a ball which is close when this action impacts on an opponent."

Both parts of that clause must be met. It is possible for a player in an offside position to attempt to play a ball and not commit an offence – there must be impact on an opponent too.

As the ball came in, Fernandez threw himself to try to head it, with Lisandro Martinez directly behind him.

Video assistant referee Matt Donohue should ask himself if Fernandez's action would have influenced Martinez.

In other words: If Fernandez had not jumped for the attempted header, would Martinez have made a different decision over playing the ball?

If the ball had been out of reach for Fernandez, or for Martinez, then there is an argument to give the goal.

And also: There would have been no offside had Fernandez made no attempt to play the ball.

But he did. And as it went just a yard in front of Martinez too, it is very difficult to argue Fernandez did not commit an offside offence.

There is also an argument that the actions of Fernandez influence the positioning of goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

However, the goal was originally ruled out for offside against Haaland - which was incorrect. So that decision had to be overturned.

And then, the VAR should have sent referee Michael Oliver to the monitor for the subjective offence by Fernandez.

It would have created the odd situation where a disallowed goal was reviewed to remain ruled out - but this is what should have happened.

It was a clear offside offence by Fernandez and will go down as a VAR mistake.

Was the VAR too concerned with a possible touch by Fernandez?

If so, did the VAR forget that Fernandez was offside, and not consider the subjective offence? It seems to be the most logical explanation.

A similar thing happened in a game between Arsenal and Brentford in February 2023 when a goal by an offside Christian Norgaard was not disallowed.

Read more on the incident here

Match of the Day pundits Wayne Rooney and Danny Murphy find it "baffling" that Erling Haaland's winning goal in the Manchester derby was not ruled out by VAR, but think Phil Foden's red card was the correct decision.

Read more: Refereeing body admits judgement error over Haaland derby winner

Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca, speaking to BBC Match of the Dayabout his celebrations: "It is the emotion of the derby after [winning with] 10 men. It is always nice to win with 10 men but a derby is a special game for everybody. I was happy and I think it was a normal reaction."

On the game: "After the red card the plan changed completely. The spirit, effort, togetherness of the players has been fantastic. I think it was a red card [for Phil Foden] to be honest, but also in the same action for [Manchester United's] Bruno [Fernandes], not just for us.

"We didn't concede any transitions or space behind. It's a special game for everyone; the fans, the club and the manager, but this is not the moment when I'm thinking about myself. I'm thinking about the team and an unbelievable three points."

On Erling Haaland's goal, which Manchester United wanted ruled out for offside: "I think it was onside clearly so it's good."

Did you know?

• Erling Haaland is now the outright top goalscorer in Premier League Manchester derbies (9 goals), surpassing Sergio Aguero and Wayne Rooney (8).

• Manchester City are the first visiting side to win 10 times against Manchester United in the Premier League at Old Trafford – across the last 11 seasons (since 2016-17), no English top-flight fixture has seen more away wins than the Manchester derby (10).

• Iliman Ndiaye is the first Manchester City substitute on record (since 2003-04) to attempt 5+ dribbles (6) and win 5+ fouls (5) in a Premier League game, and first overall in the competition since Huddersfield Town's Rajiv van La Parra in October 2017, also against Manchester United.

Hear more from Maresca on BBC Sounds

Man City starting XI:

Gianluigi Donnarumma: Saw his post hit twice but made a good stop to deny Fernandes from range and a sensational one in injury-time from Mbeumo for the clean sheet. 8

Matheus Nunes: Overcome his nightmare performance here from April 2025. Showed some neat touches and generally shackled Rashford well. 7

Ruben Dias: The Portuguese has stepped up to take on the responsibility of being captain and was solid at the back once again. 7

Marc Guehi: Beginning to form an impressive partnership with his skipper and needed to be sturdy after City were reduced to 10 men. 7

Josko Gvardiol: Looks like left-back is where his position will be in this team. Handled Mbeumo brilliantly throughout and provided the cross for Haaland's goal. 8

Elliot Anderson: Busy and hard working in the centre of the park, as is now expected. Managed more touches of the ball than any City team-mate. 7

Enzo Fernandez: Given licence to roam and has fitted in seamlessly into midfield. The Argentine made an excellent challenge to thwart Tielemans and struck the post in the second half. 8

Antoine Semenyo: Has struggled in recent games and was wasteful once more. Place in the starting XI could come under pressure from Iliman Ndiaye. 5

Phil Foden: Total head loss in the cauldron of the derby. Given a straight red after kicking Fernandes in the stomach on 23 minutes and fortunate not to cost his side. 3

Rayan Cherki: Created very little after being move to the right. Not helped by a fellow attacking player getting himself sent off before being taken off at half-time. 5

Erling Haaland: On the periphery of the game in the first half, the fewest touches of any player. But came alive to open the scoring in with a cool, first-time finish in front of his own fans. 7

Subs:

Iliman Ndiaye (on 45, Cherki): Caused some concern to the United backline with his direct running. 6

Nico O'Reilly (on 81, Fernandez) 6

Subs not used: Rulli, Kovacic, Reis, Bouaddi, Allan, Khusanov, Lewis.

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Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live from Old Trafford: "Two very different stories.

"For Manchester City, that is their best win of the season without a shadow of a doubt. The biggest compliment you can pay them is that you wouldn't know they were down to 10 men for such a long period of the game.

"[Iliman] Ndiaye coming on at half-time was an inspirational substitution from Enzo Maresca. He made such an impact. They dug in and defended resolutely.

"Manchester United made it easy for them, at times. They put on a lot of attacking players but they couldn't trouble Manchester City.

"That is a big, big performance for those in blue, who are going to celebrate with that pocket of their supporters."

Joe Rindl
BBC Sport journalist

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Erling Haaland's goal helped Manchester City win a highly controversial Manchester derby at rivals Manchester United despite playing with 10 men for more than 70 minutes.

For parts of City's first derby without Pep Guardiola as their manager in more than 10 years, it felt unlikely they would be keeping pace with title rivals Arsenal.

Phil Foden became just the second City player to be sent off in a Premier League Manchester derby, the other being Bernardo Corradi in December 2006, after catching Bruno Fernandes' chest with his studs while sitting on the ground.

Just before Foden's action, Fernandes appeared to kick his back while he was on the floor.

The United captain escaped a booking.

City defended solidly and then benefited from their own controversial call to go ahead.

Haaland was only just played onside by Patrick Dorgu's toe while Enzo Fernandez, who was clearly offside, was fortunate not to have been flagged for interfering with play while trying to meet the ball with a diving header.

United keeper Senne Lammens, who was scrambling across his goal, did briefly react to Fernandez's attempt to play the ball.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Manchester United's performance

What did you make of Manchester City's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.

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