City boss Enzo Maresca says spotlight not on him ahead of Manchester derby

What the report says

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca said ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby that the attention should remain on the team rather than on him personally. Al Jazeera, citing AFP, reported on 11 September 2026 that Maresca is preparing for his first derby in charge as City visit Manchester United while trying to preserve a perfect start to the Premier League season.

City enter the match as league leaders after three wins from three, while United have taken one win from their opening three league games and sit five points behind. The article said City have generally done well at Old Trafford over the past 15 years, although they lost there in last season’s meeting. The game is also notable because Maresca previously worked as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at City before taking the manager’s job.

Maresca told reporters he was focused on the squad, the supporters and the standings, and said that a victory would matter for the broader goal of keeping the winning run going. The report also noted his response to recent comments from new City midfielder Elliot Anderson, who described City as the “kings of Manchester” after joining from Nottingham Forest in a reported £116 million move. Maresca said that view reflects City’s dominance over the past 15 years, while acknowledging that the city’s longer football history looks different. The derby matters because it is City’s toughest test so far and an early marker in the title race.