Manchester City secured a dramatic 1–0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, September 13, 2026, despite playing with ten men for more than an hour after Phil Foden was sent off.
The highly anticipated Manchester derby, which marked the 199th meeting between the two Manchester rivals, was filled with controversy, missed opportunities and a tense atmosphere both on and off the pitch.
Tension Before Kick-Off
The atmosphere at Old Trafford was already intense before the match began, with Manchester United supporters making their frustrations known through chants directed at the club’s ownership.
The derby also marked Enzo Maresca’s first meeting with Manchester United as Manchester City’s manager, adding further significance to an already fiercely contested fixture.
Foden Dismissal From The Pitch
The first major flashpoint came in the 23rd minute when Manchester City’s Phil Foden and Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes became involved in a confrontation.
Foden was shown a straight red card after kicking out at Fernandes, leaving Manchester City with ten men for the remainder of the match.
City manager Enzo Maresca later argued that while Foden’s action could warrant a red card, Fernandes could also have been excused for his role in the incident.
The dismissal changed the momentum of the match, giving United a numerical advantage for more than an hour.
United Fail to Capitalise
Manchester United attempted to take advantage of the extra man but struggled to find the breakthrough.
Marcus Rashford came close when his free-kick struck the post, while Kobbie Mainoo also hit the bar as United searched for an opening.
Despite dominating periods of the match, the home side could not convert its opportunities.
Haaland Breaks the Deadlock
Manchester City eventually stunned the home crowd in the 60th minute.
Josko Gvardiol delivered the ball into the danger area and Erling Haaland finished to give City the lead.
The goal, however, immediately became the centre of controversy after the assistant referee initially ruled Haaland offside.
Following a lengthy VAR review, the goal was awarded, with officials determining that Haaland was onside.
However, City midfielder Enzo Fernández was also in an offside position and had attempted to play the ball.
VAR initially ruled that Fernández had not interfered sufficiently with play for the goal to be disallowed.
Refereeing Body Admits VAR Error
The controversy continued long after the final whistle.
Pro Ref, the body responsible for elite refereeing in the competition, subsequently admitted that the VAR decision was incorrect.
The organisation said the officials had failed to properly consider Fernández’s positional influence on the play and that the incident should have been reviewed on the pitch.
The admission added another layer to an already controversial Manchester derby.
Donnarumma Seals City’s Victory
United continued to push for an equaliser in the closing stages, but Manchester City’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma produced crucial saves to preserve his team’s advantage.
The final whistle eventually confirmed a memorable victory for the visitors.
Carrick Questions VAR Decision
Manchester United manager, Michael Carrick expressed strong frustration over the decision.
Carrick questioned how the officials could reach the conclusion after having access to VAR and described the situation as particularly concerning.
He also acknowledged that United had to take responsibility for failing to score, despite playing against ten men for most of the match.
Maresca Praises City’s Fighting Spirit
For Manchester City, Maresca focused on the resilience of his players.
The City manager praised their effort and spirit after being reduced to ten men so early in the contest.
He also highlighted the support from the travelling City supporters, describing the atmosphere created by the fans as an important part of the victory.
Fans Add to the Derby Drama
The supporters played their part throughout the encounter.
United fans made their dissatisfaction with the club’s ownership heard before and around the game, while City’s travelling supporters celebrated their team’s resilience after going down to ten men.
City supporters also backed Enzo Fernández with chants following his involvement in the controversial winning goal.
The atmosphere became even more heated after the final whistle, with Foden reportedly gesturing the 1–0 scoreline towards the booing United supporters.
Final Score
Manchester United 0–1 Manchester City
Goal: Erling Haaland — 60 minutes
Red Card: Phil Foden — 23 minutes
Manchester City’s victory means they maintained their perfect start to the league campaign, while United were left to reflect on missed opportunities, a controversial refereeing decision and their failure to capitalise on a numerical advantage.
For City, however, the victory will be remembered as one of their most resilient derby performances — winning at Old Trafford despite playing with ten men for more than an hour.
