ONE TOUCH SUMMARY
- Enzo Maresca states Manchester City still awaits an apology from referees' chief Howard Webb for a disputed 2023 derby goal involving Marcus Rashford.
- Maresca defends Bruno Fernandes' recent equaliser, noting Rashford was offside in the 2023 incident and City never received an apology.
- Manchester City host Norwich in the Carabao Cup with potential debuts for Allan and Gerónimo Rulli, while Phil Foden serves a three-match ban.
ONE TOUCH INSIGHT
Maresca’s demand for an apology over the 2023 derby goal is a sideshow that distracts from the work Manchester City actually need to do. The equaliser that stood despite Marcus Rashford’s offside position has gone unanswered, yet dwelling on it does not change the fact that City now have a chance to win silverware and blood young players in the Carabao Cup.
Phil Foden’s suspension opens space for the summer signings Allan and Gerónimo Rulli to make their first appearances, while the teenagers Ryan McAidoo, Kaden Braithwaite and Floyd Samba can finally earn minutes after a season with the first‑team squad. Jérémy Doku’s calf injury is improving, but the immediate priority is Thursday’s trip to Norwich.
The Carabao Cup tie against Norwich will show whether Maresca chooses to use the game as a platform for those newcomers or reverts to the usual starters, giving a clear test of how seriously he takes the opportunity to build depth.
WHY IT MATTERS
The story highlights ongoing tensions between Manchester City and refereeing standards, emphasizing how past VAR controversies continue to influence managerial perspectives and team morale in high-stakes derbies.
Bruno Fernandes
AM / CM
Portugal
Strengths
- ✓Exceptional vision and passing range to unlock tight defenses
- ✓Clinical composure in high-pressure moments, especially late in games
- ✓Ability to score and create from midfield with consistent goal threat
- ⚠Can Fernandes maintain his influence when tightly marked by disciplined midfield units?
- ⚠Does his occasional frustration lead to avoidable disciplinary risks that hurt the team?
TACTICAL FIT
Maresca’s willingness to blood youth and integrate summer signings like Allan and Rulli suggests a transitional phase, balancing experience with development ahead of cup competitions.
THE DEBATE
Should Manchester City move on from the 2023 derby controversy, or is an apology necessary for closure?
Enzo Maresca says Manchester United cannot complain about the controversial derby winner on Sunday because Manchester City are still awaiting an apology from the referees’ chief, Howard Webb, for a match-defining decision in the same fixture three years ago. City lost at Old Trafford in 2023 after Bruno Fernandes equalised despite Marcus Rashford being in an offside position.
Marseca was Pep Guardiola’s assistant at the time and had to witness Rashford’s winner minutes later. “The goal was not a regular goal, if you remember,” Maresca said. “And to be honest, no one apologised. We are still waiting for the apology for that goal. Sometimes it happens for you, sometimes it happens against you. It’s football.”
City host Norwich on Thursday in the Carabao Cup, which would provide Maresca with the opportunity to win a first trophy at the club. Guardiola won it on a record five occasions.
Phil Foden will not be involved after being sent off against United for kicking out at Fernandes, earning a three-match ban. “At half-time, he was very sad, very upset because he knew there was something wrong,” Maresca said. “Then after the game he was a little bit more relieved, he was a little bit more happy. And then yesterday he was very good. He knows the reaction was not a good one, but again, it’s finished and we move on.”
Maresca, who worked as City’s under-21 head coach and had five graduates to the first team, could offer opportunities to youngsters as well as fringe players. The teenagers Ryan McAidoo, Kaden Braithwaite and Floyd Samba, son of the former Blackburn defender Chris, will be in the squad, having spent the season with the first-team squad.
“When we started pre-season we had many young players and then at the end we decided to keep just these three players,” Maresca said. “They can work with us every day, they can improve, and at some point they can also get a chance to get some minutes.”
The Brazilian Allan and the goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli could receive debuts after joining in the summer. Jérémy Doku is making good progress in his rehabilitation from a calf injury picked up in the Community Shield.
AI-assisted · generated from The Guardian reporting, not editor reviewed
