Roy Keane has voiced strong disagreement with the decision to dismiss Phil Foden during the Manchester derby, arguing that the Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes should bear greater responsibility for the incident that led to the City forward’s sending‑off. The controversy erupted after Foden received a straight red card in the first half of Manchester City’s 1‑0 victory at Old Trafford, following an exchange in which he appeared to kick at Fernandes after being brought down by the United midfielder.
Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville was quick to react, expressing surprise that Fernandes escaped any sanction despite what looked like an initial kick toward Foden. Keane, a former United player and now a regular pundit on Sky, echoed his colleague’s sentiment, describing the Portuguese international’s actions as "violent" and questioning the consistency of the disciplinary response.
During his post‑match interview, 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 compare the situation to a previous incident involving Kyle Walker, where a head‑butt led to 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 insisted. Keane also questioned the referee’s handling of the situation, asking whether the official was given a genuine opportunity to assess both players before issuing the dismissal.
"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 collective responsibility of players within the Professional Footballers’ Association, noting that “you’ve got to try and look out for each other; you can’t be rolling around.” Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca offered a nuanced perspective, acknowledging that while Foden’s reaction warranted a red card, the same incident also implicated Fernandes. "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," Maresca said.
He explained that after reviewing the footage from the bench, he concluded that the referee’s decision to send Foden off was justified because of the violent conduct, yet he also observed clear intent from Fernandes that could have merited a dismissal. Former City defender Micah Richards added his voice to the debate, siding with Keane’s view that Fernandes should have been punished. "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 VAR had reviewed the incident and upheld the referee’s decision to send Foden off for violent conduct. The referee’s report read: "Red card Phil Foden – kick out into the body of Bruno," while the VAR commentary 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." Beyond the Foden‑Fernandes episode, the derby was marked by additional contentious moments.
Erling Haaland’s winning goal in the 60th minute was initially ruled out for off‑side, only to be reinstated after a VAR review determined that Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu had kept Haaland onside. However, the review also highlighted that Manchester City midfielder Enzo Fernández was in an off‑side position when he attempted to play the ball, a factor that, according to the Laws of the Game, should have nullified the goal.
Pro Ref, the governing body responsible for officiating, later admitted an "error in judgement" regarding the decision to allow the goal, stating that they would conduct a review and expected to issue an apology to Manchester United. The fallout from the match has sparked a broader conversation about consistency in disciplinary measures, the role of VAR in high‑stakes fixtures, and the expectations placed on senior players to manage on‑field tempers. Keane’s outspoken criticism underscores a lingering frustration among former players turned pundits who feel that high‑profile incidents are sometimes judged unevenly, particularly when star athletes are involved. As the Premier League season progresses, the debate over the Foden red card and Fernandes’ involvement is likely to continue, with fans, analysts, and officials all weighing in on how best to ensure fairness and player safety in future derbies and high‑intensity matches.