Manchester City Survive 10-Man Nightmare To Beat Man Utd — Haaland’s VAR Winner Keeps Maresca’s Perfect Start Alive

Manchester City had almost everything thrown at them at Old Trafford.

Phil Foden was sent off after just 23 minutes. Erling Haaland’s eventual winner went through a lengthy VAR check. Manchester United had more than an hour against 10 men.

And still, City walked away with the derby bragging rights.

Haaland’s controversial finish was enough to secure a 1-0 victory, maintaining City’s perfect start to the 2026/27 Premier League season and keeping them level with defending champions Arsenal at the top.

For United, the defeat was another night of frustration. For Enzo Maresca, it was a victory that showed just how quickly his new-look City side is beginning to resemble the machine that dominated English football for years.

Foden’s Red Card Changes Everything

Foden’s dismissal in the 23rd minute appeared to completely change the game.

The City midfielder reacted after Bruno Fernandes made contact with him, kicking out at the United captain and receiving a straight red card from Michael Oliver.

Foden had reason to feel aggrieved about Fernandes’ involvement, but the retaliation left City facing the prospect of more than an hour with 10 men.

Even Haaland appeared to know how damaging the moment could be, telling his team-mate to leave the pitch.

Suddenly, Maresca’s pre-match instruction to “embrace the chaos” had taken on a very different meaning.

United Had The Advantage — But Couldn’t Use It

The obvious expectation was that United would immediately take control.

Instead, City’s reshaped formation made them surprisingly difficult to break down.

Maresca moved Rayan Cherki over to the right and City effectively settled into a 4-4-1.

The extra man did not produce the attacking onslaught United needed.

Marcus Rashford’s long-range free-kick clipped the post, while Kobbie Mainoo later struck the woodwork with a curling effort from the edge of the box.

But City remained composed.

The longer United failed to score, the more comfortable the visitors appeared.

Haaland’s Goal Creates Another VAR Storm

Then came the moment that dominated the aftermath.

Haaland finished at the back post from Josko Gvardiol’s deflected cross, only for the assistant referee to raise the flag for offside.

At first glance, it appeared straightforward.

But the VAR review told a different story.

The semi-automated replay showed that Patrick Dorgu’s outstretched foot had played Haaland onside as he attempted to close down Gvardiol’s cross.

The goal was eventually awarded.

Yet that was not the end of the controversy.

Enzo Fernandez was in an offside position and attempted to reach the ball, prompting questions over whether his movement had interfered with Lisandro Martinez.

Wayne Rooney believed it had.

“Surely it’s offside. Martinez is impacted by Enzo’s movement, and he is offside.”

Gary Neville expressed a similar view on Sky Sports.

So while the technology established that Haaland himself was onside, the argument over interference ensured the goal remained one of the biggest talking points of the afternoon.

Maresca Is Starting To Look Like The Right Man

Four Premier League games into the new season, Maresca has won all four.

That is a remarkable start considering the scale of the summer changes at City and the departure of Pep Guardiola.

The squad was reshaped heavily during the transfer window, meaning there was always likely to be an adjustment period.

Instead, City have barely missed a beat.

They have also had to deal with a Champions League trip to Porto, yet the early signs suggest Maresca has already found a formula capable of keeping the club competing at the top.

The most telling part may be how they responded to adversity at Old Trafford.

Down to 10 men for more than an hour, City did not panic.

They defended their lead, slowed the game down, won free-kicks and made United chase a match they never truly managed to take control of.

United Never Found The Answer

For Michael Carrick, that will be the most worrying aspect of the defeat.

A team playing against 10 men for more than an hour should expect to create enough pressure to turn the game around.

United never consistently did.

Rashford struggled to find space, Matheus Cunha failed to make the desired impact and Fernandes could not produce the moment of inspiration his side needed.

Bryan Mbeumo missed two opportunities, while even the introduction of Benjamin Sesko failed to change the momentum.

By the closing stages, City looked more likely to score again than United did.

Gianluigi Donnarumma made a late save from Mbeumo in added time, but the result was already slipping away.

City Leave With A Statement

There were plenty of reasons why City could have collapsed at Old Trafford.

They lost a player before the half-hour mark. Their lead became embroiled in a lengthy VAR debate. United had the numerical advantage for most of the match.

Instead, City absorbed it all.

Haaland provided the decisive moment, while the rest of the team showed the control and resilience that has become synonymous with the club in recent years.

For United, the defeat exposed a lack of ideas against 10 men.

For Maresca, it offered something much more encouraging.

Four games, four wins — and a Manchester City side that already looks frighteningly familiar.