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Enzo Maresca, Manchester City's assistant manager, defended his team against criticism over an offside incident in their recent match against Manchester United by recalling a similar situation from three years ago when Guardiola was the manager and no apology was issued. He expressed disappointment that discussions have centered on this one moment rather than acknowledging the team’s performance, especially after playing with ten men for most of the game due to Phil Foden's red card. Maresca also hinted at giving some fringe players a chance in their upcoming Carabao Cup tie against Norwich City.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-16,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Enzo Maresca, Manchester City's assistant manager, defended his team against recent criticism regarding a controversial goal scored by Fernandez in an offside position. The incident reminded Maresca of a similar situation from three years ago when Marcus Rashford was not penalized for interfering with play during a derby match against Manchester United, where Bruno Fernandes scored an equalizer shortly after.
Maresca emphasized that City has won every game this season, excluding the Community Shield. He stated his intention to give fringe players a chance in their upcoming Carabao Cup third-round tie against Norwich at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday night, ahead of Sunday’s Premier League match with Sunderland.
Despite these wins and his team's performance, Maresca expressed disappointment that discussions about the recent game have overshadowed City’s overall effort, particularly considering they managed to win despite playing for 70-75 minutes with only ten players due to a red card issued to Phil Foden.
Written for “Manchester United Derby Controversy” on 2026-09-17,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
This article does not take a side on a contested political
question, so it has no leaning score. That is an
answer rather than a gap: a match report or a rescue can be warmly
or critically written without being left or right, and scoring it
anyway is how approval of a subject gets recorded as a political
position.
No political leaning scored for article 13596 · logged 2026-09-16
Enzo Fernandez, who was in an offside position, should have been deemed to be affecting play – but the incident brought up memories of something similar in a 2023 derby for Maresca.
asserted
incident → deem → Maresca
He recalled: "Three years ago when I was here (as assistant manager to Pep Guardiola), it happened the exact same against United.
asserted
it → recall → United
“The goal was not a regular goal, if you remember.
asserted
you → remember → ?
And to be honest, no one apologised.
asserted
one → apologise → ?
We are still waiting for the apology for that goal.
asserted
We → wait → goal
“Sometimes it happens for you, sometimes against you - it’s football.”
asserted
it → happen → you
On that occasion, Marcus Rashford was deemed not to be interfering with play as he left the ball and allowed Bruno Fernandes to net an equaliser.
asserted
Fernandes → deem → equaliser
A few minutes later, Rashford bagged the winner.
asserted
Rashford → bag → winner
Speaking ahead of City’s Carabao Cup third-round tie against Norwich, which takes place at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday night, Maresca added that he was disappointed his side’s “unbelievable” performance has been lost amid the controversy.
asserted
performance → speak → controversy
They claimed three points despite Phil Foden’s first-half red card for lashing out at Fernandes.
asserted
They → claim → Fernandes
"Talking about one episode or one moment after that game when we played for 70-75 minutes with 10 players, I think it's quite poor," the Italian said.
asserted
Italian → talk → players
"I think the performance was unbelievable, and I'm pleased with the performance."
Excluding the Community Shield, City have won every game so far this season and will be hot favourites to see off Championship side Norwich when they begin the defence of their Carabao Cup crown.
Maresca says he will give some of his fringe players a run-out against the Canaries with Sunday’s Premier League home game with Sunderland looming.
asserted
game → think → Sunderland
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