Roy Keane has voiced strong doubts about the decision to send Phil Foden off during the high‑stakes 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. In the immediate aftermath, Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville expressed surprise that Fernandes escaped any sanction, noting that the Portuguese star seemed to have struck Foden first.
Keane, a former United player and current pundit, echoed Neville's sentiment, describing the episode as "violent" and questioning the consistency of the disciplinary response. Keane told Sky Sports, "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. I have to call it out.
I called Kyle Walker out a few years ago when he went down to a head‑butt [which Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund was sent off for in December 2024]. I don't think that's a red card for Foden, I really don't." He continued, "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'.
The players are all in the PFA, everyone's in a union – you've got to try and look out for each other; you can't be rolling around. We saw Walker do it a few years ago with the head‑butt and Bruno's got to do better there. People say there's tension and it's a big game, but you've got to look out for your teammates and the opposition players as well. Foden, I don't think it's a red card." Manchester City head coach Enzo Maresca weighed in, offering a nuanced view.
He said, "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 also sided with Keane, suggesting that Fernandes should have faced disciplinary action. Richards told Sky Sports, "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." The Premier League's Match Centre later published a formal clarification confirming that the referee's decision to dismiss Foden for violent conduct had been reviewed and upheld by VAR. The official wording read: "REF: 'Red card Phil Foden - kick out into the body of Bruno'. VAR: 'That looks like a clear red card to me.
Looks to be a secondary movement. Confirming the red card for Manchester City No.47'." Beyond the red‑card drama, the derby was rife with other contentious moments.
Erling Haaland's decisive goal in the 60th minute was initially ruled out for off‑side before VAR intervened and awarded the goal. The review determined that Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu had played Haaland onside, while Manchester City's Enzo Fernandez, although offside, did not touch the ball. However, his movement appeared to impede United defender Lisandro Martinez, a factor that, according to the Laws of the Game, should have nullified the goal.
Three hours after full‑time, the refereeing body Pro Ref admitted an "error in judgement" regarding the decision to allow the goal, and a spokesperson indicated that an apology to Manchester United was forthcoming. The incident sparked a broader discussion about consistency in officiating, the role of VAR, and the responsibilities of high‑profile players in heated fixtures.
Critics argued that the disparity between the treatment of Fernandes and Foden highlighted a potential bias toward star players, while supporters of the decision pointed to the clear provocation by Fernandes as justification for the referee's leniency. In the weeks that followed, pundits and former players continued to dissect the episode on television panels and social media.
Some emphasized the need for clearer guidelines on what constitutes violent conduct, especially when a reaction follows a perceived foul. Others called for stricter enforcement of retaliation rules to deter future incidents.
The Manchester derby, already a fixture steeped in rivalry, will be remembered not only for Haaland's winning strike but also for the heated debate over discipline, the role of VAR, and the influence of veteran voices like Keane's in shaping public opinion. As the season progresses, both clubs will likely reflect on the lessons learned from this encounter, hoping to avoid similar controversies in future high‑stakes matches.