Enzo Maresca believes the controversy surrounding Erling Haaland’s winner at Manchester United has overshadowed City’s performance with 10 men at Old Trafford.
City won 1-0 on Sunday despite playing for more than 70 minutes with 10 men following Phil Foden’s red card, but subsequent VAR audio revealed Haaland’s goal should have been disallowed because of Enzo Fernandez’s involvement from an offside position.
Speaking ahead of Thursday night’s Carabao Cup tie against Norwich City, Maresca accepted the officials had made a mistake but was keen to move on.
Maresca defends VAR officials
Maresca had some sympathy for those responsible for the error rather than adding to the criticism. “It’s not easy for the VAR and the people in front of the screen. To make a decision in 10, 20 seconds is not easy for them. Sometimes they make mistakes. I make mistakes, players make mistakes. It’s part of our job.”
As we reported following the release of the VAR audio, officials focused on Haaland’s position and failed to properly consider whether Fernandez had interfered with play.
Pro Ref subsequently acknowledged the goal should not have stood. Maresca was more interested in what his players had done after Foden’s dismissal.
“To talk about one moment after that game when we played for 70, 75 minutes with 10 players is quite poor. I think the performance was unbelievable and I’m pleased.”
City still waiting for 2023 apology
Maresca also pointed back to the controversial Bruno Fernandes equaliser at Old Trafford in January 2023. Marcus Rashford was in an offside position during the move but was judged not to have interfered with play before Fernandes scored. Maresca was part of Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff when City lost the game 2-1.
“Three years ago when I was here it happened the exact same against Manchester United. The goal was not a regular goal and no one apologised. We are still waiting for the apology for that.” He added: “Sometimes it goes for you, sometimes against you. It’s football.”
That was effectively Maresca’s position on the latest controversy too. The mistake has been acknowledged, and City have benefited from it, but he sees little value in continuing the argument.
Attention now turns to Norwich at the Etihad. There will be no VAR in operation for the Carabao Cup tie, something Maresca said would have no bearing on City’s approach.
“Tomorrow night (Thursday), it’s another competition but the ambition is the same. There is no VAR but we don’t plan the game in a different way.”
Maresca confirmed Ryan McAidoo, Kaden Braithwaite and Floyd Samba will be involved as he rotates his squad. Foden will definitely be absent as he begins the three-match domestic suspension resulting from his red card at Old Trafford.
The City boss said Foden had been upset immediately after the incident but had since moved on, while acknowledging his absence against Norwich, Sunderland and Liverpool is a “big” blow.
Asked whether City had discussed an appeal against the red card, Maresca said: “We didn’t speak about it, to be honest. I don’t know.”
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