Enzo Maresca took on the seemingly impossible job of succeeding Pep Guardiola as Manchester City manager, but the Italian is off to the perfect start after his 10 men defied Manchester United for a famous 1-0 win at Old Trafford.
But Maresca’s new-look side rose to the challenge as the midfield pairing of Enzo Fernandez and Elliot Anderson showed why they cost nearly £250 million . The England international won man-of-the-match and was ably assisted by Fernandez, who cost a joint Premier League record £125 million when he joined from Chelsea on the final day of the transfer window. Because now the market is increasing, “I said already a few times that I don’t think it’s correct to judge players based on how much clubs pay for them.
However, United could have little complaint that the better side won despite City playing for over an hour a man light.
“I think the game with 10 players became more difficult for us, but also for them,” said Maresca. “The good thing is that they are both very young so they are going to be important for the future of this club.”
With 10 players we just dropped, waiting for them, so we didn’t concede any transition, we didn’t concede any space in behind. Maresca’s men have responded with four consecutive wins to keep pace with the Gunners at the top of the Premier League and an impressive 2-0 victory in Porto to kick off their Champions League campaign. “They are a team that love transition, they love space in behind.
