Enzo Maresca has defended the legality of Erling Haaland's winning goal after Manchester City's 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, insisting there was nothing controversial about a strike that extended City's perfect start to the season.
Erling Haaland scored a vital albeit controversial winner for Manchester City in Sunday's derby win at Old Trafford.
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Haaland's finish at the back post from Josko Gvardiol's deflected cross across the Manchester United box settled a tense derby in the 60th minute and sent City level on points with Premier League champions Arsenal.
The goal was delayed by a lengthy VAR check that drew significant scrutiny from the home end inside Old Trafford, with on-pitch officials initially deeming Haaland as offside.
The check examined both Haaland's starting position and Enzo Fernandez's involvement in the build-up, with supporters and pundits questioning whether City's club-record signing had interfered with play from an offside position before the cross was delivered.
The wait was long enough to ramp up the tension inside Old Trafford considerably, and United's players were vociferous in their protests to referee Michael Oliver as the check dragged on.
The goal was ultimately confirmed and sent Maresca's side into an unassailable lead, with Haaland celebrating a 168th Manchester City goal and his fifth in all competitions this season.
Enzo Doesn't Interfere With the Action, Says Adamant Maresca on Haaland Winner
Reacting to the controversy surrounding the winning goal immediately after the final whistle on Sky Sports, Maresca said: "The fourth official said to me immediately that Erling was onside, they were just checking the entire action. But I think it was completely clear that it was not offside!"
In his post-match press conference, Maresca returned to the winning goal: "I think Erling was onside and Enzo [Fernandez] doesn't interfere with the action."
Controversy and raw emotion defined a fiery Manchester derby at Old Trafford where, despite Phil Foden seeing red early on, Erling Haaland delivered the decisive blow to prove once again that the city’s football hierarchy remains undeniably blue.cityxtra.co.ukMatch Report & Player Ratings: Man United 0-1 Man City (Premier League)
Controversy and raw emotion defined a fiery Manchester derby at Old Trafford where, despite Phil Foden seeing red early on, Erling Haaland delivered the decisive blow to prove once again that the city’s football hierarchy remains undeniably blue.
It was a goal befitting the occasion: a monumental strike from one of the greatest strikers the Premier League has ever seen, assisted by a man who has grown in stature with every passing week since his £125 million deadline day arrival from Chelsea.
Fernandez's display was one of the talking points of the afternoon on its own terms, producing an all-action performance that reminded those watching exactly why Maresca pushed so hard to bring him to the Etihad Stadium before the summer window closed.
On Fernandez, Maresca told Sky Sports: "Yeah, Enzo Fernandez was unbelievable. He played a fantastic game. And again, it's a nice win!"
Maresca: Happy Erling, Happy Life!
City have now won five from five across all competitions under the Italian this season - three Premier League victories, the UEFA Champions League opener at Porto, and now the Manchester derby - while keeping three clean sheets in that run.
Maresca also turned to the subject of Haaland's mood and motivation, delivering one of the more memorable post-match quips of the early season: "The most important is he is happy, and you can see his mood is happy, not only today but the day by day, in the training sessions.
"And as much as we keep Erling happy, we are all happy. As you say in English, 'Happy wife, happy life!'. We say, 'Happy Erling, happy life!' My wife, she will be upset, for sure."
Marc Guehi and Ruben Dias produced another composed and commanding display at the back, limiting United to very little by way of clear-cut chances, with Gianluigi Donnarumma making a crucial save from Bryan Mbeumo at the death after being largely untroubled in a game that City controlled without ever being entirely dominant.
Elliot Anderson also received huge plaudits for an outstanding display in the middle of the park in a game that saw Phil Foden receive a red card in the first 30 minutes.