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Esteemed Kompany

14 September 2026

Esteemed Kompany

14 September 2026

Manchester City received outstanding contributions from every player on the pitch in their 1-0 victory over Manchester United yesterday after Phil Foden was sent off in the 23rd minute at Old Trafford. The result made it four wins from four for City in the Premier League, and it was also their fifth straight win in all competitions at the start of the 2026-27 season. The latest Manchester derby success was built on an excellent collective display, with Enzo Maresca’s side showing determination, spirit and character. In midfield, Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernandez were exceptional. Both influenced the contest in very different ways and helped set Manchester City on course for a memorable derby triumph.

Elliot Anderson’s early influence in midfield at Manchester City has already been immense. He has settled into his role in Enzo Maresca’s side seamlessly. Yesterday, there was real pressure on Anderson to deliver against Manchester United. At the time of his unveiling as a City player, he had publicly described City as the ‘Kings of Manchester’. That comment had angered the United supporters. Once Phil Foden was shown a red card in the 23rd minute yesterday, Anderson’s value to his side became even greater. He responded superbly and produced a commanding performance in midfield.

Elliot Anderson effectively did the job of two midfielders after Manchester City were reduced to ten men. He covered every inch of the Old Trafford turf. Anderson was strong in the tackle and, time and again, he won the ball from a United player in midfield before emerging from the duel still in possession.

According to statistics from SofaScore, Elliot Anderson won 7/10 of the ground duels he contested. He regained possession on 6 occasions. He also nearly made two interceptions. Anderson’s work without the ball was outstanding. It was a vital part of Manchester City’s derby victory. On the ball, Anderson showed real quality. When his team needed him to rise to the occasion at Old Trafford, he did exactly that yesterday.

For all the hard work Elliot Anderson produced yesterday, Enzo Fernandez was just as impressive in Manchester City’s engine room while operating in a completely different role. After Phil Foden’s dismissal, Enzo Fernandez was given the responsibility of offering attacking support from midfield, and he carried out that task superbly.

Whenever the opportunity presented itself, especially in the second half, Enzo Fernandez posed a constant danger to the Manchester United defence with his forward runs from midfield. His ability to help City retain possession while also preserving their attacking threat was crucial to Manchester City’s famous derby win.

The Argentinian midfielder also struck the post after Senne Lammens pushed one of his efforts onto it. Had that chance gone in, it arguably would have been the perfect finishing touch to City’s victory. Enzo Fernandez also came close to creating a goal with an intelligent free-kick that Erling Haaland dragged wide as Enzo Maresca’s side pushed for a second goal.

There was another side to Enzo Fernandez’s game that played a major role in Manchester City beating their arch-rivals yesterday. When the pressure is on, Enzo Fernandez is always ready for the battle. That was impossible to miss yesterday, as City needed exactly that quality to come through the occasion. Manchester City’s record signing is a fighter. That trait is a key part of his game, and on the biggest stage, Enzo Fernandez was right at the heart of the contest yesterday.

Every Manchester City player gave everything for the cause at Old Trafford yesterday. It required a complete team effort for Enzo Maresca’s side to overcome Manchester United after playing with ten men for more than 70 minutes. In midfield, Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernandez were central to City’s success. They performed very different duties in City’s engine room, and both made huge contributions to Manchester City’s famous win in the 199th Manchester derby.