Roy Keane has voiced strong reservations about the decision to dismiss Phil Foden during the Manchester derby, arguing that the Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes should share the blame for the incident that led to the City forward's sending‑off. The controversy unfolded early in the match when Foden received a straight red card in the first half of Manchester City’s 1‑0 victory at Old Trafford after a clash with Fernandes, who had earlier been fouled by the United midfielder. In the immediate aftermath, Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville expressed surprise that Fernandes escaped any sanction, noting that the Portuguese midfielder appeared to have kicked Foden first. Keane, who now works as a pundit for the same broadcaster, echoed Neville’s sentiments, describing the episode as "violent" and suggesting that the responsibility lay more with Fernandes than with the young City player.
Keane recounted the sequence of events on air: "Bruno goes in, tackles him, clearly fouls him and gives him a little boot on the floor. Foden gets up, reacts, and he's now sent off.
I'm guessing it's classed as violent conduct, but to me Bruno's the one who's violent here." He went on to compare the situation with a past incident involving Kyle Walker, who was criticised for a head‑butt that resulted in a red card for Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund in December 2024. "I don’t think that’s a red card for Foden, I really don’t," Keane asserted. The former Manchester United captain did not stop there.
He questioned whether the referee had been given a fair chance to assess the situation, saying, "Did the player give the referee a chance to send him off? Foden's a bit daft here, but so is Bruno." Keane argued that if the roles were reversed and Fernandes had been dismissed while Foden escaped, the narrative would shift to condemn Bruno for being "a bit daft, a bit silly." He emphasized the collective responsibility of professional players, noting that they are all members of the PFA and should look out for one another, regardless of club affiliation. Enzo Maresca, Manchester City’s head coach, offered a more nuanced view.
He acknowledged that Foden’s red card was justified, describing it as a clear case of violent conduct confirmed by VAR. However, Maresca also pointed out that the same incident warranted a red card for Fernandes, stating, "I reviewed the action immediately after the red card on the bench.
And it's a clear red card for Phil, because it's a reaction. But you can also see in the same action Bruno's intention. So for me, yes, it's a red card for Phil, but it's also a red card for Bruno." Former City defender Micah Richards echoed Keane’s criticism of Fernandes.
Richards told Sky Sports that while he did not condone Foden’s reaction, the initial provocation lay with the Portuguese midfielder. "Foden didn't react. If he had started screaming on the floor, then Bruno Fernandes would have been sent off.
It looks worse than it is. I agree with Roy – Fernandes catches him! I don't agree with Foden's response, but it's Fernandes who started it," Richards said.
The Premier League’s Match Centre later released an official clarification confirming that the referee’s decision to send off Foden for violent conduct had been reviewed and upheld by VAR. The referee’s note read: "Red card Phil Foden – kick out into the body of Bruno," while the VAR commentator added: "That looks like a clear red card to me. Looks to be a secondary movement. Confirming the red card for Manchester City No.47." The match itself was riddled with contentious moments beyond the Foden incident.
Erling Haaland’s winning goal in the 60th minute was initially ruled out for off‑side, only to be reinstated after a VAR review. The review determined that Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu had kept Haaland onside, although Manchester City midfielder Enzo Fernández was in an off‑side position when he attempted to play the ball. While Fernández did not touch the ball, his movement was deemed to have interfered with United defender Lisandro Martínez, which, according to the laws of the game, should have nullified the goal.
Pro Ref, the refereeing body, later admitted an "error in judgement" regarding the goal, stating that they would contact Manchester United to acknowledge the mistake and conduct a review. The fallout from the derby highlights the ongoing debate about consistency in disciplinary decisions and the role of VAR in modern football. Keane’s outspoken criticism reflects a broader frustration among former players and pundits who feel that high‑profile matches sometimes produce uneven applications of the rules.
As the Premier League continues to refine its officiating protocols, incidents like the Foden‑Fernandes clash will likely remain a focal point for discussion about fairness, player conduct, and the influence of technology on the beautiful game.