Despite being reduced to 10 men after an early red card for Phil Foden, Maresca’s side produced a superb display at Old Trafford, sealing a 1-0 win thanks to Erling Haaland’s second half winner.
It was a fourth straight Premier League victory for City and arguably the most significant result yet this season.
And, ahead of Thursday night’s Carabao Cup third round home clash with Norwich City, the boss said the manner in which it was achieved had been vitally important in terms of solidifying the bond of togetherness inside the dressing room.
“For sure that kind of game in general helps,” Maresca acknowledged.
“You could see the reaction at the end from the players on the pitch and the reaction from the ones who spoke in the press conference.
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“The message was quite similar from all of them.
“It’s a Derby 11 v 11 so if you win in the normal way it’s already good but the way we won its even better.”
Addressing the media at his pre-match press conference, the boss also confirmed that goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli who joined the Club from Montpellier earlier this summer, would be afforded his maiden opportunity tomorrow night.
“Yes, I was doing the same at Chelsea and Leicester. Tomorrow we are going to give Rulli minutes,” Maresca confirmed.
Play the video to watch Maresca’s press conference in full…
