Man Utd sent painful reminder in Manchester derby defeat as Enzo Maresca gets huge boost

The chant from the away end was pretty damning. “We’ve only got 10 men.”

Manchester City had one player less than United for more than an hour and still beat their great rivals on their own patch. That only serves to highlight the gap between the two Manchester giants. It was no wonder that, at the final whistle, loud boos rang around Old Trafford because the United faithful were so fed-up.

The game was shrouded in controversy from the moment Phil Foden was sent off after just 23 minutes after lashing out at United captain Bruno Fernandes. Even City’s goal did not feel right. Erling Haaland smashed the ball in the net but this was all about whether Enzo Fernandez was interfering with play and stopped Lisandro Martinez 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.

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook page

Get our comprehensive football coverage, with news, updates, opinions, analysis and everything that matters to you, straight to your inbox.

To get it, it's a quick and easy one-two:

1. Head THIS WAY

And yet, let’s be clear, even with a big slice of fortune, you still cannot lose at home to your neighbours when they only had ten men. United hit the woodwork twice, Bryan Mbeumo was denied by Gianluigi Donnarumma in the 95th minute.

But United were simply not good enough. Just lumping the ball into the box in desperation. They could not find a way through because they lacked quality and guile.

This was the fixture last season which 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 gets 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. Then, 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. 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. There is no way he gets back into the England squad anytime soon.

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 Gvradiol’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.

The officials have had a stinker. 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.