Phil Foden was sent off in the first half of Manchester City’s highly charged derby clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Tuesday, but his side went on to secure a narrow 1-0 victory courtesy of a late goal from Erling Haaland. The decisive strike, however, was marred by controversy as officials later acknowledged an offside error that played a role in the winning goal.
Foden’s dismissal came after an altercation with United captain Bruno Fernandes, who appeared to have kicked the City midfielder during the opening stages of the match. Despite being reduced to 10 men while the score remained level, Manchester City maintained their composure and resilience to seal the win, much to the delight of Foden, who was reportedly overjoyed by the result after his early exit.
Midfielder Elliot Anderson, who completed a £116 million transfer from Nottingham Forest to Manchester City during the summer, spoke on his first derby experience. Anderson had been a target for United prior to his move, but ultimately joined City, which he described as the “kings of Manchester.” Reflecting on the victory, he said, “We are now,” when reminded of his earlier remark, emphasizing the team’s quality and determination.
Anderson also commented on his own performance, highlighting his focus on contributing through duels and maintaining calm possession under pressure. “I just gave everything for the team — duels and playing through the lines,” he said. “It hasn’t been easy for me. I’ve been challenged in all the games and I thought I did pretty well. I’ve trained hard to put myself in the best place for the games, and it started ever so well.”
When asked about potential criticism over his “kings of Manchester” statement, Anderson downplayed any controversy, stressing the team’s collective mentality. “There’s no doubt we have all the quality, but we’re showing real mentality in the first four games — especially in this one. Not giving up, fighting for every tackle, every duel and waiting for our chance.”
Anderson also praised new signing Enzo Fernandez, who joined on deadline day and has quickly become a pivotal figure within the squad. Having previously faced Fernandez in the World Cup semi-final, Anderson said, “He’s very good. He shows real quality on the ball and knowing you’ve got someone alongside you who has got your back is a massive help.” Regarding Fernandez’s impact on the team dynamic, Anderson added with a smile, “Yeah, he is. I found that obviously before I was playing with him, but no, he’s a brilliant guy and he’s a real top player.”
The win extends Manchester City’s strong start to the season and underscores their determination to assert dominance in Manchester despite the temporary setback of playing a man down during the course of the derby. Meanwhile, Manchester United will look to regroup after their challenging defeat on home soil.