Maresca says VAR row should not eclipse City’s 10-man derby win
Pro Ref acknowledged that VAR wrongly overturned an on-field offside ruling to allow Erling Haaland’s winning goal against Manchester United.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has rejected suggestions that the controversy over Erling Haaland’s goal should define his side’s 1–0 derby victory at Manchester United.
City played most of the match with 10 players after Phil Foden was sent off in the 23rd minute. Haaland scored the decisive goal in the second half after an initial offside ruling was overturned following a VAR review.
Pro Ref later acknowledged that VAR was wrong to allow the goal, intensifying scrutiny of the decision. Maresca said the error should be recognised but should not overshadow City’s performance while playing with a numerical disadvantage.
Speaking before City’s League Cup third-round match against Norwich City, Maresca also defended VAR officials, saying they must make difficult decisions under time pressure and that mistakes were an inevitable part of their work.
He cited a disputed Manchester United goal from January 2023 involving Marcus Rashford’s offside position, saying City were still awaiting an apology. Maresca was an assistant coach at City at the time.
