Manchester City beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday 13 September 2026, with Erling Haaland’s 60th-minute finish deciding a derby City saw out with 10 men after Phil Foden’s 23rd-minute red card.
Foden sent off, City dig in
Foden was dismissed for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes. From the 23rd minute City defended deep, broke when they could, and kept a clean sheet on the road. The Premier League Sunday Wrap said City became only the second visiting side out of 50 to win at Old Trafford after receiving a red card, after Everton in November 2025.
Elliot Anderson was named Premier League Player of the Match with 76 touches, more than any other City player. Enzo Fernandez and substitute Iliman Ndiaye were pushed towards the away fans at full time after a shift that mixed midfield control with counter-attack running. Enzo Maresca told Sky Sports the players’ effort, spirit and togetherness had been brilliant.
Before kick-off Maresca had talked about embracing the noise and the chaos. A man light for more than an hour, his side still left with three points and a perfect league start intact.
Haaland’s VAR winner
Haaland scored from a Josko Gvardiol cross. The flag went up for offside, then VAR overturned it. Michael Carrick called the decision not to flag Fernandez for offside when he moved towards the ball “staggering”. The wrap notes Pro Ref later acknowledged the call as incorrect. Carrick still said it would not change the season and that United would get back to winning ways.
It was Haaland’s fourth league goal in four games. The Norwegian is now the all-time leading Premier League scorer in the Manchester derby with nine, ahead of Sergio Aguero and Wayne Rooney in fewer appearances. City also used him as an outlet to hold the ball and start breaks once they were a player down.
United woodwork, City on 12 points
United hit the woodwork through Marcus Rashford in the first half and Kobbie Mainoo in the second. Gianluigi Donnarumma denied Bryan Mbeumo late. United sit on four points from four, the same start they had under Ruben Amorim a year earlier, when their fourth game was also a loss to City.
City have 12 points from four and a 100 per cent league record, double the six points they had after four games last season. They also won at Old Trafford this time after falling 2-0 there on Carrick’s debut last year. Arsenal sit on 12 points after four wins as well, so the early table stays tight at the top.
