Maresca says City still await apology over 2023 derby goal

Enzo Maresca says Manchester City are still waiting for an apology from referees’ chief Howard Webb over the controversial goal that helped swing the 2023 Manchester derby at Old Trafford. The City coach raised the incident while reflecting on the fallout from the latest meeting with Manchester United, arguing that such decisions can cut both ways.

Maresca revisits 2023 derby controversy

City were beaten at Old Trafford in 2023 after Bruno Fernandes scored an equaliser in a move that remained contentious because Marcus Rashford was in an offside position. Maresca, who was working as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at the time, said the club had never received any apology for what he viewed as a decisive error.

His point was that football often turns on moments that remain disputed long after the final whistle. In Maresca’s view, City have their own grievance from the same fixture and have had to accept it without any formal acknowledgement.

“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.”

Focus turns to Norwich in the Carabao Cup

Attention now shifts to Thursday’s Carabao Cup meeting with Norwich, a match that offers Maresca the chance to move City forward in a competition the club has dominated in recent years. Guardiola won the trophy on five occasions, and the tie gives Maresca another opportunity to shape his own path at the club.

City will be without Phil Foden, who serves a three-match ban after being sent off against United for kicking out at Fernandes. Maresca said the midfielder understood immediately that he had made a mistake, but added that the squad had already moved on from the incident.

“At half-time, he was very sad, very upset because he knew there was something wrong,” Maresca said. “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.”

Youngsters in line for opportunities

The Norwich game could also provide minutes for younger players and members of the wider squad. Maresca previously worked with City’s under-21s and has shown a willingness to keep a close link between academy development and first-team involvement.

Three teenagers are set to be in the squad: Ryan McAidoo, Kaden Braithwaite and Floyd Samba, the son of former Blackburn defender Chris Samba. All three have spent the season around the senior group after impressing enough in pre-season to remain in the first-team environment.

“When we started pre-season we had many young players and then at the end we decided to keep just these three players,” Maresca said. “They can work with us every day, they can improve, and at some point they can also get a chance to get some minutes.”

Possible debuts and injury update

There may also be first appearances for summer arrivals Allan and goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli. Both are in contention as Maresca considers changes for the cup tie.

Elsewhere, Jérémy Doku is progressing well in his recovery from the calf injury he suffered in the Community Shield. That update offers encouragement for City, even if the immediate focus is on managing the squad carefully for Norwich and navigating the absence of Foden.

• Manchester City face Norwich in the Carabao Cup on Thursday.
• Phil Foden is unavailable because of a three-match ban.
• Ryan McAidoo, Kaden Braithwaite and Floyd Samba will be in the squad.
• Allan and Gerónimo Rulli could make their debuts.
• Jérémy Doku is making progress in his rehabilitation from a calf injury.