Manchester City were reduced to 10 men in the first half of the derby against Manchester United at Old Trafford when Phil Foden was sent off for kicking Bruno Fernandes in the stomach but took the lead after the break with a controversial Erling Haaland goal.
With 23 minutes on the clock, Foden and Man United skipper Fernandes tangled to leave the former on the floor, on top of the ball. The Portuguese then appeared to try and kick the ball but caught the England international in the back instead, prompting a moment of fury from Foden as he kicked out with both feet and contacted Fernandes in the stomach, causing referee Michael Oliver to dish out a straight red card.
Just after the hour mark, Haaland expertly finished Josko Gvardiol’s deflected cross at the back post, with the goal initially ruled out for offside. But, after a long VAR check, the goal was awarded, with Haaland narrowly onside thanks to Patrick Dorgu’s outstretched foot and the offside Enzo Fernandez not having touched the ball with his attempted diving header – and somehow being deemed not to be impacting play with his effort.
That was the in-game drama at Old Trafford but, before kick-off, United fans protested against the club’s ownership in response to the season ticketing “fiasco” that resulted in 685 ticket bans. Fans gathered near the Bishops Blaize pub near Old Trafford to protest both the Glazer family and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, with chants directed at both parties.
Follow all the latest updates below.
City have defended very well
Here’s Richard Jolly inside Old Trafford:
City still have quite a bit to do to see this out and keep a clean sheet but so far they have defended very well. Matheus Nunes has had a fine game and he felt a bit of a surprise selection, with some expecting Khusanov to start at right-back.
Man United 1-0 Man City
86 mins: CLOSE! Harry Maguire gets up for the header but nods just wide! Agonising for the hosts, who are running out of time.
Man United 1-0 Man City
85 mins: Bryan Mbeumo’s pass is intercepted by Iliman Ndiaye who is sprinting towards the halfway line with just one man to beat – but that man is Lisandro Martinez, who gets a vital challenge in.
Man United 1-0 Man City
82 mins: Smart decision from Enzo Maresca – he’s bringing off Enzo Fernandez, who was acting like he could easily take City down to nine.
Nico O’Reilly is on as the City fans sing “in your head, in your head” regarding Fernandez, to quote a popular Cranberries song.
Man United 1-0 Man City
80 mins: It’s taken a while, but we’ve got our first yellow cards of the game. In fact, we’ve got three.
Josko Gvardiol is first booked for delaying the restart. Then, as the ball goes up the other end, Harry Maguire and Enzo Fernandez get into it with each other.
Fernandez is shoved to the ground by Maguire and is milking it beyond belief. Both are booked.
Enzo is an expensive irritant – but he’s a good player
Here’s Richard Jolly inside Old Trafford:
Enzo Fernandez may be (well, is) an irritant but, so far, he has had a rather good game. City and United both bought new midfields this summer. City paid a lot more. This isn’t saying the prices were justified but the early evidence is that, unsurprisingly, they got better players.
Man United 1-0 Man City
76 mins: CLOSE! It’s flashed low and hard across goal and Erling Haaland meets it, only to see his diversion fly just wide of the post!
Nearly a second for Haaland – there would have been less debate over that one.
Man United 1-0 Man City
75 mins: Enzo Fernandez goes down like he’s been shot from a light brush of the forearm by Kobbie Mainoo. Man City have a free-kick in a dangerous position…
WATCH: Was Erling Haaland onside?
And if Haaland was onside… was Enzo Fernandez (who was definitely off) disrupting play for Lisandro Martinez?
Man United 1-0 Man City
70 mins: Now it’s the turn of the other Fernandez/Fernandes to have a crack from range.
Bruno hits it true and Gianluigi Donnarumma admittedly flaps at it, but he gets the all-important block to deny the United captain.
That was United’s first shot on target since Phil Foden was sent off. Safe to say they haven’t taken advantage of their extra man.
