Enzo Fernandez creates more big chances than Manchester United in derby

Enzo Fernandez, the Argentine midfielder who cost Manchester City £125 million just two weeks earlier, created more big chances than the entirety of Manchester United’s squad in his derby debut on September 13, 2026. Fernandez produced one big chance. United produced zero. City won the derby 1-0, which sounds routine enough until you factor in the context. Phil Foden was sent off in the 23rd minute, meaning City played nearly 70 minutes of the match with ten men. And yet United still couldn’t muster a single big chance across the full 90. Fernandez was at the center of nearly everything positive City produced going forward. His stat line read like a midfielder trying to personally justify his transfer fee: 8 duels won, 3 defense-splitting passes, a shot that rattled the post, and one yellow card for good measure. Erling Haaland scored the only goal in the 60th minute, but even that carried its own drama. The goal was initially flagged offside due to Fernandez’s position in the buildup. VAR reviewed it and allowed the goal to stand. Pro Ref later publicly admitted that the decision involved an “error of judgment,” saying an on-field review should have taken place before the goal was...