Maresca: City's derby performance deserves more attention than VAR error
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca expressed disappointment that the controversy over Erling Haaland's goal has overshadowed his team's 1-0 win at Manchester United. He praised his side's performance despite playing with 10 men for most of the match. Maresca also noted that City have previously been on the wrong end of VAR decisions without apology.
Maresca previously served as Guardiola's assistant, and he recalled a January 2023 league defeat to United where a City goal was disallowed under similar circumstances, with no subsequent apology. In Sunday's match, City played with ten men after Foden's 23rd-minute red card for kicking Bruno Fernandes, while United struck the woodwork twice before Haaland's decisive goal.
Webb explained that the VAR review concentrated solely on Haaland's onside position, failing to assess Fernandez's offside interference in the build-up. City now face Norwich in the Carabao Cup on Thursday, followed by a league trip to Sunderland on 20 September.
The controversy may further erode public confidence in VAR's consistency, as fans and clubs question the reliability of technology in decisive moments. This incident could intensify calls for greater transparency in officiating, potentially reshaping how the Premier League communicates decisions. For Manchester City, the win may bolster their title challenge, but the lingering dispute might also distract from their on-field achievements, affecting how the season's narrative is framed.