Manchester City fans have delivered a mixed reaction after Enzo Maresca gave a remarkably honest assessment of Iliman Ndiaye following his Premier League debut against Coventry City.
The new Manchester City head coach did not hide his concerns when discussing the summer signing’s performance.
Maresca explained that Ndiaye had only completed two training sessions before being involved. However, he also pointed out several tactical mistakes made by the forward during the game.
According to Maresca, Ndiaye was often moving in the wrong direction and occupying the wrong positions.
“Ili [Ndiaye] just had two sessions. He needs to understand how to move. Most of the time he was moving the wrong way, wrong position. But again, he needs to learn, and for sure he’s going to learn…”, said Maresca.
The manager also explained exactly what he wanted from the Senegal international.
When Marc Guehi had possession, Maresca wanted Ndiaye to stay higher up the pitch and occupy the final third. The space behind him, he explained, was intended for Josko Gvardiol.
The same principle applied on the opposite side.
When Abdukodir Khusanov had the ball, Antoine Semenyo was expected to stretch the pitch rather than drop too deep. That space was designed for Enzo Fernandez.
Interestingly, that tactical structure ultimately helped create the winning goal.
Fernandez moved wide, Semenyo attacked the space behind the defence and his cross found Erling Haaland, who headed Manchester City into the lead.
Yet while Maresca’s tactical explanation made sense, some City supporters were more concerned about the way he publicly discussed Ndiaye’s shortcomings.
Manchester City fans divided over Maresca’s comments
The reaction from supporters was far from unanimous.
Some fans clearly appreciated Maresca’s honesty and tactical detail.
One supporter wrote:
“Gaffer knows ball🥹”
Another simply said:
“My manager! 🩵”
Those reactions suggest that a section of the fanbase is fully behind Maresca’s approach.
The new manager is trying to establish his own tactical identity at Manchester City. Unlike Pep Guardiola, who guided the club for years, Maresca is still teaching his players a new system and new positional responsibilities.
For those supporters, his comments were evidence of a coach who knows exactly what he wants.
Another fan appeared to agree with the manager’s tactical explanation, posting:
“Exactly what I was saying”
That reaction is important because it shows that some supporters had already noticed Ndiaye’s positioning problems during the match.
“Stop calling out your players”
However, another group of Manchester City fans took issue with Maresca’s decision to discuss the player’s mistakes so openly.
One of the strongest reactions said:
“Stop calling out your players in press conference”
That comment attracted significant engagement and captured the concern of supporters who believe tactical criticism should remain inside the dressing room.
Another fan sarcastically responded:
“Your not pep mate Shutup”
The comparison with Guardiola was inevitable.
Guardiola was known for being extremely detailed when discussing tactics, but he also had his own approach to handling individual players publicly.
Maresca is now developing his own managerial personality.
That means supporters will inevitably compare the new boss with his predecessor, especially during the early stages of his reign.
Maresca’s tactical explanation actually made sense
Despite the criticism, there was logic behind Maresca’s comments.
Ndiaye had barely trained with his new teammates before being asked to play.
That is a crucial detail.
Manchester City’s attacking movements under Maresca depend heavily on players understanding where to stand, when to stretch the pitch and when to move into central or wide areas.
A player arriving from another club cannot automatically understand every positional instruction after only two sessions.
Maresca himself acknowledged this.
He made it clear that Ndiaye needs to learn, and he expects the winger to improve with time.
That is arguably the most important part of the manager’s comments.
He was not writing Ndiaye off.
Instead, he was explaining why the player struggled and what needs to change.
Fans also questioned why Ndiaye started
Some supporters were less sympathetic.
One reaction asked:
“Why start him in the first place🙄”
That is a fair question given Maresca’s explanation.
If Ndiaye had only trained twice and was still learning the team’s movements, some fans wondered whether introducing him from the start was the right decision.
However, circumstances can influence team selection.
Manchester City have a demanding schedule, while Maresca is also trying to integrate several new signings into the squad.
Giving Ndiaye minutes is part of that process.
The only way for a new player to learn the system is to play it.
Khusanov’s position also became a talking point
Interestingly, some of the strongest reactions were not actually about Ndiaye.
Several supporters focused on the tactical use of Abdukodir Khusanov.
One fan wrote in French:
“Mec arrete avec Khusanov en lateral c’est vraiment horrible pour lui.”
The comment translates roughly as: “Man, stop playing Khusanov at full-back, it’s really horrible for him.”
Another supporter said:
“happens when people play outta position”
This reveals a wider concern among some City fans.
Maresca’s system appears to demand considerable tactical flexibility from his defenders and wide players. But not everyone believes every player is being used in their natural position.
Khusanov operating at full-back has clearly divided opinion.
For some supporters, it is an important tactical solution.
For others, it risks limiting the strengths of a player who is more naturally suited to a central defensive role.
“He just gave away his tactics”
There was also an amusing reaction to Maresca’s detailed explanation.
One fan wrote:
“He just gave away his tactics the dose”
The point was simple: Maresca had essentially explained exactly how Manchester City were supposed to create the winning goal.
And there was some truth behind the joke.
The manager explained that Fernandez should move into the wide area, while Semenyo needed to stretch the opposition and attack the space behind.
That is precisely what happened.
Fernandez moved wide.
Semenyo received the ball in behind.
The winger delivered the cross.
Haaland scored.
It gave supporters a fascinating glimpse into Maresca’s tactical thinking.
The criticism has already started
Not everyone is convinced that Maresca is the right man to lead Manchester City into the future.
One supporter posted:
“Getting sacked by winter”
Another wrote:
“No coach here.i miss Pep”
These comments should not necessarily be treated as a serious representation of the wider fanbase.
Manchester City have only recently entered the Maresca era, and comparisons with Guardiola will naturally remain intense.
The former City boss set an extraordinary standard.
Maresca therefore has little margin for error in the eyes of some supporters.
But three Premier League wins from three games under the new manager provide a much more positive measure of the team’s start.
Ndiaye deserves time to adapt
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the reaction is that Ndiaye needs time.
It would be unfair to judge a new Manchester City signing too harshly after one appearance, particularly when the manager himself confirmed that the player had only completed two training sessions.
Ndiaye is learning a completely different tactical structure.
His teammates are also learning how to use him.
That relationship will take time.
The winger’s pace, movement and attacking ability were major reasons Manchester City wanted him. Maresca now has the responsibility of helping him understand how to use those qualities within the team’s structure.
The manager clearly believes he can do it.
He said Ndiaye will learn.
That should reassure supporters.
Manchester City fans are learning about Maresca too
The reaction to this story is also revealing something about Maresca himself.
He is clearly willing to be direct.
He does not appear interested in giving vague answers simply to avoid controversy.
That approach will have supporters on both sides.
Some will appreciate the honesty.
Others will believe certain criticism should remain private.
Either way, Maresca is establishing his personality quickly.
His comments about Ndiaye also showed that his tactical demands are extremely specific.
Players are expected to understand exactly when to drop, when to stay high and which spaces belong to their teammates.
That level of detail could eventually become one of Manchester City’s biggest strengths.
The winning goal was the perfect example
Perhaps the irony of the entire situation is that Maresca’s tactical criticism of Ndiaye came after Manchester City produced exactly the kind of positional sequence he wanted.
Fernandez moved into the wide position.
Semenyo stretched the defence.
The space opened.
Semenyo attacked it.
His cross found Haaland.
The striker scored.
That sequence provided a clear demonstration of Maresca’s attacking principles.
It also explains why the manager was so keen to discuss positioning.
For Maresca, these details are not minor.
They are fundamental to how Manchester City are expected to play.
Verdict: Maresca has a point, but fans want protection for Ndiaye
Manchester City supporters appear divided over Enzo Maresca’s blunt Iliman Ndiaye verdict.
Some believe the manager is simply doing his job.
Others think publicly highlighting a new player’s mistakes is unnecessary.
The comments such as “Gaffer knows ball🥹” and “My manager! 🩵” show strong support for Maresca’s tactical approach.
But the reaction telling him to “Stop calling out your players in press conference” highlights an important concern.
Ultimately, both sides can understand the situation.
Ndiaye needs to improve his positioning.
Maresca needs to teach him the system.
And supporters need to give the new signing time to adapt.
After only two training sessions, there is little reason to draw major conclusions about his Manchester City career.
The most encouraging part is that Maresca has already identified what needs to change.
Now, Ndiaye has the opportunity to show that he can learn.
And if he eventually masters those movements, Manchester City fans may look back on this blunt verdict as the beginning of his development under Maresca.
