Roy Keane has voiced strong doubts about the decision to send Phil Foden off during the Manchester derby, and he also took aim at Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes for his part in the incident. The controversy began when Foden received a straight red card in the first half of Manchester City’s 1-0 victory at Old Trafford after he appeared to kick out at Fernandes following a challenge by the United midfielder. Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville was quick to react, saying he was "surprised" that Fernandes escaped any sanction despite what looked like a preliminary kick on Foden.
Keane, a former United player and current pundit, agreed with his former teammate’s assessment and described the Portuguese international’s actions as "violent." In his post‑match interview with Sky Sports, Keane recounted the sequence of events: "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 draw a parallel with a previous incident involving Kyle Walker, noting that he had previously criticised Walker for a head‑butt that led to Rasmus Højlund’s dismissal in December 2024.
"I don’t think that’s a red card for Foden, I really don’t," Keane added. Keane questioned whether the referee had been given a fair chance to assess the situation, suggesting that both players behaved poorly. "Did the player give the referee a chance to send him off? Foden’s a bit daft here, but so is Bruno.
If Bruno got sent off for that and nothing happened with Foden then we’d be saying, ‘Do you know what, Bruno was a bit daft, a bit silly.’" He emphasized the importance of professional conduct, reminding that all players belong to the Professional Footballers’ Association and should look after one another, regardless of the rivalry. Manchester City’s head coach Enzo Maresca offered a nuanced view, acknowledging that Foden’s red card was justified while also suggesting that Fernandes deserved a similar punishment. "I think Phil Foden’s red card is a red card, but I also think that in the same action it’s a red card for Bruno Fernandes. 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 sentiment, arguing that Fernandes should have been penalised for initiating the confrontation. "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 told Sky Sports. The Premier League’s Match Centre later released an official clarification confirming that the referee’s decision to dismiss 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 official 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 derby itself was rife 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 officials determined that United defender Patrick Dorgu had kept Haaland onside, but they also noted that City midfielder Enzo Fernández, though off‑side, had not touched the ball. However, his movement appeared to interfere with United defender Lisandro Martínez, which under the laws should have nullified the goal.
Pro Ref, the governing body overseeing refereeing, later admitted an "error in judgement" regarding the decision to allow the goal, stating that they would conduct a review and likely issue an apology to Manchester United. The fallout from the match has sparked a broader debate about consistency in disciplinary action and the role of VAR in high‑stakes fixtures. Critics argue that the differing treatment of Fernandes and Foden highlights a lack of uniform standards, while supporters of the decisions claim that the referee’s on‑field perspective is paramount. As the season progresses, both clubs will be keen to avoid further controversies and focus on their league ambitions.
In summary, Roy Keane’s outspoken criticism underscores a growing frustration among former players and pundits regarding perceived inconsistencies in officiating. While the red card to Foden stands, the discussion about whether Bruno Fernandes should have faced a similar sanction remains unresolved, reflecting the ongoing tension between player conduct, referee interpretation, and the increasingly influential role of video‑assistant refereeing in modern football.