Erling Haaland secured Manchester City a memorable 1-0 derby day triumph as Manchester United failed to capitalize on Phil Foden’s sending-off on a day of contentious decisions.
Old Trafford witnessed a pulsating 199th meeting of the Manchester rivals on Sunday, as Enzo Maresca‘s new-look side won the first clash between the sides since Pep Guardiola’s departure.
Much has changed at City this summer, but Haaland remains a familiar foe, with the striker’s ninth Premier League goal against United taking him clear as top scorer in this fixture and sealing City’s victory.
But the main subject of debate after the game will be the decisions to send off Foden and award Haaland’s winner.
The visitors had felt aggrieved when Foden was sent off in the 23rd minute for petulantly reacting to a Bruno Fernandes kick.
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Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo hit the woodwork, but United could not make the most of their man advantage, with the VAR’s decision to overturn an initial offside call on Haaland’s goal causing anger and confusion.
Gianluigi Donnarumma made a crucial stoppage-time save from Bryan Mbeumo to secure a dramatic win that Maresca celebrated by charging toward the City fans at full time.
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Sunday’s painful defeat leaves United with just four points from their opening four matches and followed protests about the way the club is being run.
The club’s heavy-handed ticket touting investigation has angered fans, who displayed a sign above the tunnel that read “the way you treat us is a disgrace” as Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Avram Glazer watched on.
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There was a boisterous atmosphere as fans traded chants, with Enzo Fernández seeing an early shot deflected wide as Lisandro Martínez and Matheus Cunha had hopeful efforts at the other end.
An even clash looked to have tipped United’s way in the 23rd minute.
Fernandes caught Foden when he was on the deck and the City star kicked out, with referee Michael Oliver brandishing a straight red.
City players harangued the referee, but VAR Matthew Donohue gave the decision the green light as United fans waved off Foden.
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Maresca’s side rallied well as United’s defense wobbled, but Carrick’s side so nearly took the lead just before halftime when Rashford’s dipping free kick from distance hit a post.
A frustrated Maresca was booked and his mood nearly darkened shortly after the break when Mainoo curled a fine effort that beat Donnarumma and came back off a post.
United pushed from there. Rashford saw an effort taken into the side netting before Mbeumo and Cunha tried their luck, but this would be City’s day.
Patrick Dorgu — again playing at left back in Luke Shaw’s absence — coughed up possession, and the move ended with a Josko Gvardiol cross being turned in by a falling Haaland at the far post in the 60th minute.
City’s initial celebrations were short-lived due to an on-field offside call, only for a confusing delay and award of the goal to change the mood.
The Premier League Match Centre said the VAR “determined that Haaland was in an onside position” and “deemed that while in an offside position, Fernández didn’t play the ball.”
City nearly added a second goal shortly after, but United goalkeeper Senne Lammens brilliantly pushed Fernández’s 20-yard strike onto a post.
United looked limited, with Fernandes, Mbeumo and Harry Maguire trying their luck, as Haaland prodded narrowly wide.
City fans celebrated wildly after Donnarumma expertly denied Mbeumo in stoppage time.
