Roy Keane has openly disputed 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. In the first half of Manchester City’s 1‑0 triumph at Old Trafford, referee Mike Dean produced a straight red card for Foden after the 23rd‑minute clash with Fernandes. The sequence began when the United midfielder appeared to trip Foden, prompting the young England international to react with a kick toward the Brazilian’s lower body. The referee interpreted the action as violent conduct and, after a VAR review, confirmed the dismissal.
Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville was quick to voice his surprise that Fernandes escaped any sanction, noting that the Portuguese seemed to initiate the contact. Keane, sharing the studio with his former United teammate, echoed that sentiment, describing the Brazilian’s challenge as "violent" and suggesting that the blame should be shared. 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.
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 more nuanced view. He acknowledged that Foden’s reaction warranted a dismissal but argued that the same incident also merited a red card for 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. "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 the criticism of the United midfielder, stating that Fernandes should have been punished for instigating the altercation. "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 official Match Centre later released a statement confirming that the red card was upheld after a VAR check, describing the decision as "violent conduct" and noting the referee’s wording: "Red card Phil Foden – kick out into the body of Bruno". Beyond the controversy surrounding the dismissal, the derby featured another high‑profile refereeing debate.
Erling Haaland’s 60th‑minute winner was initially flagged for off‑side, only for VAR to overturn the call after determining that United defender Patrick Dorgu had played him on‑side. However, Enzo Fernández was in an off‑side position when he attempted to intervene, and his movement appeared to impede United defender Lisandro Martínez.
According to the Laws of the Game, such interference should have nullified the goal, yet the decision stood. Pro Ref, the officiating body, later admitted an "error in judgement" regarding the goal, issuing a statement three hours after full‑time: "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." Industry commentator Neil Nevill predicted an official apology from Pro Ref for allowing the goal to stand. The fallout from the match has reignited discussions about consistency in disciplinary measures, especially in high‑stakes fixtures. Critics argue that the disparity in treatment between Foden and Fernandes reflects a broader issue of selective enforcement, while supporters of the decision maintain that the referee acted within the guidelines for violent conduct.
As the Premier League moves forward, the incident will likely be examined by the FA’s disciplinary committee, which may issue further sanctions or clarifications. For now, the Manchester derby remains a vivid example of how split‑second decisions and player conduct can shape the narrative of a match, influencing not only the result but also the ongoing debate about fairness and accountability in modern football.