In a recent post-match interview, Enzo Maresca, the head coach of Manchester City, commented on the controversial red card incident involving Bruno Fernandes during the Premier League match against Manchester United. Maresca stated that while he agreed with the referee Michael Oliver’s decision to send off Phil Foden, he believed Fernandes also deserved to be penalized for his actions that led to the situation.

During the match, which took place on September 13, 2026, Fernandes kicked Foden in the back while the City player was on the ground. This prompted Foden to retaliate, resulting in his red card. Maresca pointed out that although Foden’s reaction warranted a red card, Fernandes’ initial foul was equally deserving of punishment. "I reviewed the situation, and it’s clear that Foden received a red card for his reaction. However, you can also see that Bruno committed a foul against Foden. Regardless, the situation unfolded as it did, and while we received a red card, we still managed to win the match," Maresca explained.

The coach further elaborated on how the red card changed the dynamics of the game for both teams. "We had a strategy planned for 11 versus 11, but after the red card, the game changed completely, which was also true for them," he noted. Maresca acknowledged that Manchester United typically capitalizes on transitions and exploits spaces behind defenses, but with City tightening their defense, the game became more challenging for both sides.

Additionally, the match saw a controversial goal from Erling Haaland, which was upheld by VAR technology despite some concerns about offside. Maresca affirmed, "Erling was not offside. The fourth official informed me that the issue was only related to an incident in the center of the penalty area. But I believe it’s clear that Erling was onside." He emphasized the need for Manchester City to manage Haaland's workload effectively, especially following the upcoming World Cup, to prevent burnout during the season.

In conclusion, Maresca humorously remarked, "As the English say, a happy wife means a happy life. For us, a happy Erling means a happy life." This light-hearted comment underscored the positive atmosphere within the team following their victory over Manchester United, a match that also highlighted the performance of new signing Elliot Anderson, who was named Man of the Match.