Roy Keane has publicly voiced his belief that Phil Foden’s dismissal in the Manchester derby was unwarranted and has taken aim at Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes for his part in the incident. The controversy began when the Manchester City forward was shown a straight red card in the first half of City’s 1-0 victory at Old Trafford after he appeared to kick out at Fernandes following a challenge by the United midfielder. Immediately after the incident, Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville expressed surprise that Fernandes escaped any sanction, noting that the Portuguese international seemed to have struck Foden first. Keane, who was also working for Sky Sports at the time, agreed with his former teammate and described the entire episode as "violent".
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. I have to call it out.
I called Kyle Walker out a few years ago when he went down to a head‑butt [referring to the December 2024 incident in which United striker Rasmus Hojlund was sent off]. I don’t think that’s a red card for Foden, I really don’t." He went on to question the referee’s decision‑making process, asking whether the official was given a chance to intervene before the card was shown. "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 members of the PFA, everyone’s in a union – you’ve got to look out for each other; you can’t just roll 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 was also asked to weigh in.
He responded: "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 a similar sentiment, suggesting that Fernandes should have been punished 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," he told Sky Sports. The Premier League’s Match Centre later released a formal clarification explaining why the referee issued the red card to Foden in the 23rd minute. The statement read: "The referee’s call of red card to Foden for violent conduct was checked and confirmed by VAR.
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 Foden‑Fernandes incident, the derby was riddled with other contentious moments. Erling Haaland’s winning goal in the 60th minute was initially ruled out for off‑side before VAR intervened and awarded the goal.
The replay showed that Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu had kept Haaland onside, while City midfielder Enzo Fernández, although not touching the ball, was in an off‑side position and appeared to impede United defender Lisandro Martínez. According to the Laws of the Game, such interference should have nullified the goal, but the officials allowed it to stand.
Three hours after full‑time, the refereeing body Pro Ref admitted to an "error in judgement" regarding the goal decision. A spokesperson said: "Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement.
A review of the incident will take place." Football commentator James Nevill predicted that Pro Ref would issue a formal apology for permitting the goal. The fallout from the match has sparked a broader debate about consistency in disciplinary actions, the role of VAR, and the responsibilities of high‑profile players in maintaining discipline during heated encounters.
Critics argue that the disparity between how Fernandes and Foden were treated highlights a possible double standard, especially given the heightened scrutiny on star players in marquee fixtures. Supporters of the referee’s decision point to the clear provocation by Fernandes and maintain that Foden’s reaction crossed the line into violent conduct, justifying the dismissal. In the weeks following the derby, several pundits and former players have used the incident as a case study in football ethics and the importance of player conduct. They stress that while emotions run high in rivalry games, the professional standards set by the PFA and the governing bodies must be upheld to preserve the integrity of the sport.
The conversation also underscores the need for clearer guidelines on what constitutes a punishable offense in the context of a reaction to a foul, a topic that may influence future rule‑book revisions. Overall, the Manchester derby will be remembered not only for Haaland’s decisive strike but also for the heated debate surrounding the red card, the role of VAR, and the differing viewpoints of respected figures like Roy Keane, Enzo Maresca, and Micah Richards. The incident serves as a reminder that football’s most passionate moments often generate the most intense scrutiny, prompting ongoing discussions about fairness, consistency, and the evolving nature of officiating in the modern game.