Enzo Maresca believes Bruno Fernandes should have been sent off alongside Phil Foden during City‘s 1-0 Manchester derby victory at Old Trafford.
Foden was shown a straight red card by referee Michael Oliver after 23 minutes following an altercation with the Manchester United captain.
Fernandes appeared to kick Foden while the City man was on the ground before Foden reacted and was dismissed. Maresca had no complaints about the red card for his player, but believed United should also have been reduced to ten men.
Maresca: Fernandes should have seen red
“Phil’s card is a red card, but I also think the same action is a red card by Bruno,” Maresca said after the game.
“I think reviewing the action, and I reviewed it immediately, it is a clear red card for Phil because it is a reaction. But you can also see Bruno [foul Foden]. But anyway, it is what it is. Red card, but we won.”
The dismissal left City facing more than an hour with ten men and forced Maresca to change the plan he had taken into his first Manchester derby as manager.
“We had a plan for 11 vs 11, but after the red card, the game completely changed, but also for them,” he added.
City dropped into a compact shape and survived Marcus Rashford hitting the post shortly before half-time and Kobbie Mainoo striking the woodwork after the break. Erling Haaland then scored the only goal on the hour as City maintained their perfect Premier League start with four wins from four.
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