Enzo Maresca has addressed Phil Foden's controversial red card in Manchester City's 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford, admitting the absence will be felt across three games but insisting the matter is now closed.
Phil Foden was suspended for violent conduct in Manchester City's 1-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday.
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Foden was dismissed in the 23rd minute of Sunday's derby when referee Michael Oliver adjudged the England international to have kicked out at Bruno Fernandes, having initially been fouled by the Manchester United captain near the touchline.
Replays showed Fernandes making contact with Foden while he was on the floor before Foden reacted, but VAR official Matt Donohue confirmed the red card, citing a clear secondary movement.
The decision attracted significant criticism in the immediate aftermath, most notably from Sky Sports pundit and former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, who argued there was too much focus on Foden and called for action against players who exaggerate contact to get opponents dismissed.
Despite playing the final 67 minutes with 10 men, City held firm. Gianluigi Donnarumma's match-defining save from Fernandes himself proved crucial before Erling Haaland headed home the winner to secure all three points and maintain Maresca's perfect start across all competitions.
The circumstances of the victory, playing the bulk of the game a man down at Old Trafford, have only added to the sense that this Manchester City side carries significant character under the new manager.
Foden now faces a three-match ban across domestic competitions, kicking in from Thursday night's clash against Norwich City in the Carabao Cup third round, before extending to the Premier League fixtures against Sunderland and Liverpool. His next available appearance for City will be the UEFA Champions League meeting with Paris Saint-Germain on October 14.
The absence comes at a difficult time: Foden had started the season in strong form, contributing two assists in the 4-1 win at Crystal Palace and looking increasingly influential before Sunday's dismissal brought his involvement to a premature halt.
Enzo Maresca opened up on Phil Foden's exclusion from Manchester City's captaincy group after Saturday's 1-0 win over Coventry City at the Etihad Stadium.cityxtra.co.ukFoden Also One of Man City's Captains for Me, Says Maresca Despite Leadership Group Snub
Enzo Maresca opened up on Phil Foden's exclusion from Manchester City's captaincy group after Saturday's 1-0 win over Coventry City at the Etihad Stadium.
Phil Knew It was Something Wrong, Now We Move On - Maresca on Derby Violent Conduct
Speaking to the media ahead of Thursday's Carabao Cup third round tie with Norwich City, Maresca said: "We didn't speak about it to be honest, we'll see, I don't know," when asked whether City would pursue an appeal.
On Foden's state of mind after the dismissal, the City boss added: "Especially at half-time [he was] very sad, very upset because he knew it was something wrong. Then after he was a little bit more happy. Yesterday he was very good! Phil knows probably the reaction was not a good one, but it's finished and we move on."
On the impact of the ban across the next three fixtures, Maresca said: "For us it's a big one because he was doing well. I think he started quite good [vs Manchester United] for the minutes he was on. But now he's out tomorrow, out for Sunderland, out for Liverpool, and then he's back."
What does Foden's Absence Mean for Man City?
With Foden unavailable for three fixtures across two competitions, Maresca now has decisions to make about his attacking midfield options. Ayyoub Bouaddi, who has impressed in his limited opportunities since arriving from Lille, is the most likely candidate to step into an expanded role, while Rayan Cherki offers another option after his two-goal performance at Crystal Palace.
Jeremy Doku continues to close in on his return from the calf injury sustained in the Community Shield. Maresca confirmed at Friday's pre-derby press conference that the Belgium international needs "some more days," but his return in the coming weeks could ease the pressure on the wide areas created by Foden's suspension.
The Carabao Cup tie against Norwich is manageable on paper but Premier League games against Sunderland and Liverpool - the latter being a direct rival for the title - represent a genuine test of the squad's depth in Foden's absence.
Maresca will be expected to rotate significantly against Norwich City, giving fringe first-team, academy stars as well as recent arrivals further minutes as City aim to progress deep into a competition they have won in four of the last five seasons.