Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has showered praise on record £125 million signing Enzo Fernandez ahead of Sunday's clash against Manchester United.
Enzo Fernandez will feature in his first Manchester derby at Old Trafford on Sunday.
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Fernandez has made a strong impression since his arrival to the Etihad Stadium from Chelsea on deadline day for a British record equalling fee.
The 25-year-old was a leading target for Maresca to bolster Manchester City's midfield heading into the summer as Bernardo Silva left at the end of his contract and Rodri pushed for a return to Spain, joining Barcelona in August himself.
After working with Maresca at Stamford Bridge, Fernandez is believed to have been desperate to reunite with the Italian in Manchester as City navigate life beyond the legendary Pep Guardiola.
Maresca has led the Blues to an impressive start to the 2026/27 season, with City turning a corner since August's 3-0 Community Shield defeat to Arsenal in August by virtue of successive wins against Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Coventry City and FC Porto.
Erling Haaland scored a brace in Portugal on Tuesday night as the Blues made a winning start to their 2026/27 UEFA Champions League group-phase.
City are in a rich vein of form heading into Sunday and and after being humbled by Premier League champions Arsenal in Cardiff in August, Maresca will be desperate to send a message to the Blues' title rivals with three points at Old Trafford.
Enzo Fernandez has spoken publicly for the first time as a Manchester City player, opening up on the emotion of joining the club, his reunion with manager Enzo Maresca and the meaning behind his choice of shirt number.cityxtra.co.uk"I Didn't Hesitate for a Second" - Enzo Fernandez Opens Up on Manchester City Move and Enzo Maresca Reunion
Enzo Fernandez has spoken publicly for the first time as a Manchester City player, opening up on the emotion of joining the club, his reunion with manager Enzo Maresca and the meaning behind his choice of shirt number.
Elliot Anderson came off the bench in midweek as Ayyoub Bouaddi, signed from Porto for £85 million, was handed his first Manchester City start at the Estádio do Dragão.
Anderson is expected to return to the starting XI against United, with Fernandez set to retain his place in the line-up after grabbing his first assist in Manchester City colours by setting up Haaland for the opener in Porto.
Discussing how Fernandez is adapting to life at the Etihad Stadium in a press conference on Friday morning, Maresca said: "He's improving a lot. Probably in the last two years with us [Maresca's coaching staff] he became more attacking midfielder.
"In the past he was a little bit more deep. But I think he's unbelievable around the box in terms of goals and assists, and also leadership - he's growing a lot!"
It remains to be seen whether Maresca goes all guns blazing and deploys each of his three big money midfield acquisitions - Bouaddi, Anderson and Fernandez - at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Manchester City fans have sung their praises of how well the new trio have settled in but Sunday's fixtures poses a different test altogether - and Maresca will be desperate to leave enemy territory with all three points and maintain his side's perfect start to the campaign.