Roy Keane has taken issue with the decision to send Phil Foden off during the Manchester derby, arguing that the young Manchester City forward did not merit a straight red card and that United captain Bruno Fernandes should share the blame for the incident. The controversy erupted early in the first half when Foden was shown a red card after a scuffle with Fernandes, who had just been fouled by United midfielder Bruno. The referee deemed Foden's reaction to be violent conduct, a judgment that was subsequently upheld by VAR.
In the immediate aftermath, Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville expressed surprise that Fernandes escaped any sanction, noting that the Portuguese midfielder appeared to have initiated the contact by kicking at Foden first. Keane, who was a teammate of Neville at Manchester United, agreed wholeheartedly and described Fernandes' actions as "violent".
He recounted the sequence 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." Keane did not shy away from comparing the incident to past moments of on‑field aggression. He recalled calling out Kyle Walker a few years earlier when Walker was involved in a head‑butt that led to United striker Rasmus Hojlund's dismissal in December 2024.
"I don't think that's a red card for Foden, I really don't," Keane insisted, emphasizing that the responsibility lay with the player who started the confrontation. He questioned whether the referee had even been given a chance to consider a dismissal for Fernandes, adding, "Did the player give the referee a chance? 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'." Keane also highlighted the broader context of player welfare and union solidarity, noting that all participants belong to the Professional Footballers' Association and should look out for one another. "You can't be rolling around," he said, urging both teams to maintain discipline in high‑stakes matches.
"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 offered a nuanced perspective, acknowledging that while Foden's reaction was punishable, 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 explained. He said he reviewed the footage from the bench and concluded that Foden's retaliation was clear, yet he also saw "Bruno's intention" in the same sequence, effectively suggesting a double standard in the officiating. Former City defender Micah Richards echoed the sentiment that Fernandes should have faced disciplinary action. Speaking to Sky Sports, Richards said, "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 official Match Centre later clarified the rationale behind the red card, stating that the referee's decision was confirmed by VAR after a review. The VAR commentary read, "That looks like a clear red card to me.
Looks to be a secondary movement. Confirming the red card for Manchester City No.47." This official language underscores that the governing body deemed the contact a clear case of violent conduct, even if the initial foul was arguably committed by Fernandes.
Beyond the Foden‑Fernandes episode, the derby was riddled with additional controversy. Erling Haaland's decisive goal in the 60th minute was initially ruled out for off‑side, only to be overturned after a VAR intervention. The review determined that United defender Patrick Dorgu had kept Haaland onside, while City midfielder Enzo Fernandez, despite not touching the ball, was in an off‑side position and appeared to obstruct United defender Lisandro Martinez.
According to the Laws of the Game, such interference should have nullified the goal, yet the decision stood, prompting criticism of the officiating body Pro Ref. Three hours after full‑time, Pro Ref admitted an "error in judgement" regarding Haaland's goal, acknowledging that the decision to allow it was flawed. A statement read, "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." Commentators like Nevill predicted an official apology from Pro Ref for the mishandling of the decisive moment.
The fallout from the derby highlights ongoing debates about consistency in football's disciplinary processes, especially in high‑profile matches where emotions run high and the stakes are enormous. Critics argue that the disparity in treatment between Foden and Fernandes reflects a broader issue of selective enforcement, while supporters of the decision point to the clear guidelines surrounding violent conduct.
As the Premier League moves forward, the incident will likely be cited in discussions about VAR's role, referee training, and the need for clearer protocols when multiple players are involved in a single altercation. In summary, Roy Keane, Micah Richards, and several pundits have voiced strong disagreement with the handling of Phil Foden's red card, insisting that Bruno Fernandes' contribution to the incident warranted equal scrutiny.
The incident, combined with the contentious VAR decision on Haaland's winner, underscores the intense pressure on officials to make split‑second judgments that can alter the outcome of one of football's most storied rivalries.