Maresca says City still awaiting apology over 2023 derby decision
Enzo Maresca said Manchester United cannot complain about Sunday’s controversial derby winner because Manchester City are still waiting for an apology from referees’ chief Howard Webb over a match-defining decision at Old Trafford in the 2023 Manchester derby.
City lost at Old Trafford in 2023 after Bruno Fernandes equalised despite Marcus Rashford being in an offside position, and Maresca—then Pep Guardiola’s assistant—had to witness Rashford’s winner minutes later. "The goal was not a regular goal, if you remember," Maresca said. "And to be honest, no one apologised. We are still waiting for the apology for that goal. Sometimes it happens for you, sometimes it happens against you. It’s football."
Maresca will have the chance to pursue his first trophy at the club in the Carabao Cup, a competition Guardiola has won on a record five occasions. The cup tie offers Maresca an early opportunity to manage silverware for Manchester City.
Phil Foden will not be available after being sent off against United for kicking out at Fernandes and receiving a three-match ban. On Foden’s reaction, Maresca said: "At half-time, he was very sad, very upset because he knew there was something wrong," adding: "Then after the game he was a little bit more relieved, he was a little bit more happy. And then yesterday he was very good. He knows the reaction was not a good one, but again, it’s finished and we move on."
Having previously worked as City’s under-21 head coach, Maresca has overseen the promotion of five graduates to the first team and said he could hand opportunities to youngsters and fringe players for cup duty. The teenagers Ryan McAidoo, Kaden Braithwaite and Floyd Samba, the latter identified as the son of the former Blackburn defender Chris, have spent the season with the first-team squad and will be included in the matchday group.
On integrating young players, Maresca said: "When we started pre-season we had many young players and then at the end we decided to keep just these three players," and added: "They can work with us every day, they can improve, and at some point they can also get a chance to get some minutes." The Brazilian Allan and goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli, both signed in the summer, could make their debuts, while Jérémy Doku is making good progress in his rehabilitation from a calf injury picked up in the Community Shield.
Manchester City host Norwich on Thursday in the Carabao Cup, a tie that would provide Maresca with the confirmed opportunity to win his first trophy at the club.