Enzo Maresca acknowledged the significant expenditure Manchester City incurred during the recent transfer window, describing the club’s outlay as "crazy" but necessary to bring in the quality players he sought. City invested approximately £458 million in new signings, with £326 million allocated to three midfielders alone, as part of a substantial squad overhaul.

Speaking ahead of Manchester City's clash with rivals Manchester United in the derby, Maresca emphasized that financial considerations were not his primary focus, noting that he is not personally responsible for the payments. "I don’t pay much attention to the price because I don’t pay the money," he said, stressing that the priority was acquiring high-caliber players. “The market is crazy,” he added, noting that heavy spending is common across top clubs.

The Italian coach highlighted the value of the summer signings Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernandez, and Ayyoub Bouaddi, all of whom have already made positive impressions for City. Maresca underscored the importance of a strong midfield performance in the upcoming fixture to counter Manchester United’s style of play, which relies on quick transitions and direct attacks after regaining possession.

“It’s an important game because it’s a test,” Maresca said. “It’s clear United are dangerous, they don’t need many passes. They are quite direct when they recover the ball. We need to be careful in terms of transitions to cover the space in behind.”

The manager’s comments reflect a pragmatic approach to the club’s significant financial commitment, with a clear focus on achieving competitive advantages on the pitch amid a transfer market marked by escalating fees across Europe.