Dramatic derby win one of Man City's best, says Haaland

Erling Haaland feels Manchester City's dramatic derby win over Manchester United marks one of the best victories he has experienced at the club.

Haaland's controversially awarded goal ultimately clinched a 1-0 win for City at Old Trafford on Sunday, as Enzo Maresca's team made it four wins from as many Premier League games this term.

City had to play most of the match with 10 men, after Phil Foden was sent off for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes in the 23rd minute.

However, United managed just two shots on target after that red card, albeit they did hit the woodwork twice.

Haaland's winner arrived on the hour, when he brilliantly turned home from Josko Gvardiol's cross. The strike was initially disallowed for offside, but it was given after a VAR review found that the striker was onside, albeit Enzo Fernandez appeared to be attempting to attack the ball from an offside position.

While United will no doubt be left infuriated by the decision, Haaland thinks this new-look City team took a huge step forward with the manner of their win. 

He told Sky Sports: "It hasn't happened a lot in my time [here] that we have gone down to 10 men, so it's kind of a new experience to win with 10 men. It's amazing, to be honest!

"We had to lay low, which is not ideal. We want to keep the ball, to try and score goals, but in these times you have to go a bit low and take your chances when it's possible. It shows the personality, the character, to win away at Old Trafford with 10 men; that's personality.

"We had to change the plan a bit, but we have different strengths. We counter-attacked a bit more and, for me, I just have to be there, try to wait for a chance and if it comes, be ready to execute. We also need fighters in the team, which we have plenty of. I'm so proud of everyone.

"This is one of the best [wins], because of the occasion, [going down to] 10 men, for 60 minutes or something, at Old Trafford. It's a difficult task. It's so nice, and to see the fans as well, how much they enjoyed themselves."

Haaland is now the outright top goalscorer in Premier League Manchester derbies (nine goals), surpassing Sergio Aguero and Wayne Rooney (eight each).

Asked if he always felt his goal would be awarded, Haaland said: "I thought maybe someone had flicked it, because normally I'm not offside. But I looked over to the gaffer, and he gave me a thumbs up that it was a goal."

City needed goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to come up big late on, as he pulled off a superb save to deny Bryan Mbeumo.

"What a save. What a goalkeeper," Haaland said of Donnarumma.

"This wolf in goal, giving you so much confidence, he looks a bit like a wolf. He's a mad man; we're so lucky to have him, he's a match-winner as well."

City have won their opening four games in three of the last four Premier League seasons, with Liverpool in 2025-26 and Arsenal this term the only other teams to do so once in that period.

Only two of City's first nine managers won their first Premier League game against United (Kevin Keegan and Sven-Goran Eriksson), but each of the three since have all done so (Pep Guardiola, Manuel Pellegrini, Maresca).

And Elliot Anderson believes this victory shows what Maresca's team can be all about.

"We knew it was going to be tough; the start wasn't good for us, but we said at half-time it would make us feel better if we won," he said.

"It just gives you more motivation to go and get the points. We had to run more and fight more; we all shone to a man, we were brilliant.

"We love to fight and tackle and then get on the ball and play. We gave it our all; everyone was brilliant. It's my first Manchester derby, a new era here, and to start it with a win is amazing."