Roy Keane has voiced strong objections to the sending‑off of Phil Foden during the Manchester derby, arguing that the young Manchester City forward should not have been shown a red card. Keane also took aim at Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, accusing him of playing a part in the incident that led to Foden's dismissal.
The controversy began when Foden received a straight red card in the first half of City’s 1-0 victory at Old Trafford. The referee deemed the Manchester United midfielder’s challenge as violent conduct after Foden appeared to kick at Fernandes following a foul. The decision sparked immediate debate among pundits and former players.
Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville was among the first to react, expressing surprise that Fernandes escaped any sanction despite what looked like an initial kick toward Foden. "I was shocked that Bruno wasn’t punished," Neville said, noting that the sequence seemed to start with the United player. Keane, who shares the screen with Neville, agreed that the incident was more complex than it appeared. He described the Portuguese international’s actions as "violent" and suggested that the blame should be shared.
"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," Keane told Sky Sports.
He added that, in his view, the situation could be classified as violent conduct on both sides. The former Manchester United captain didn’t mince words. "I’m guessing it’s classed as violent conduct, but to me Bruno’s the one who’s violent here," Keane said. He recalled calling out Kyle Walker a few years earlier for a head‑butt incident that resulted in a red card for United striker Rasmus Hojlund in December 2024.
"I don’t think that’s a red card for Foden, I really don’t," he continued. Keane also questioned the referee’s handling of the situation. "Did the player give the referee a chance to send him off?
Foden’s a bit daft here, but so is Bruno," he remarked. He argued that if the roles were reversed, the narrative would shift dramatically.
"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 importance of sportsmanship, especially in high‑stakes matches.
"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," Keane said, referencing the Professional Footballers' Association. He reminded viewers of Walker’s earlier head‑butt incident, urging Fernandes to set a better example. When asked about the incident, Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca offered a nuanced perspective.
"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 he had reviewed the footage immediately from the bench and concluded that Foden’s reaction was a clear red‑card offence.
However, he also saw intent in Fernandes’ actions, suggesting that both players could be culpable. Former City defender Micah Richards echoed a similar sentiment, pointing out that Fernandes initiated the confrontation.
"Foden didn’t react. If he had started screaming on the floor, then Bruno Fernandes would have been sent off," Richards told Sky Sports. He added, "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 released a detailed clarification confirming that the referee’s decision to send off 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 marked by another contentious moment. Erling Haaland’s winning goal in the 60th minute was initially ruled out for off‑side, only to be reinstated after a VAR review. The replay showed that Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu had inadvertently put Haaland onside, while City’s Enzo Fernandez, although offside, did not touch the ball.
Nevertheless, his movement appeared to interfere with United defender Lisandro Martinez’s defensive line, a factor that should have kept the goal disallowed under the laws of the game. Pro Ref, the officiating body, admitted an "error in judgement" three hours after full‑time, acknowledging the mistake that allowed the goal to stand. 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." Football analyst Neil Nevill predicted that Pro Ref would issue a formal apology for the oversight.
The fallout from the match has reignited debates about the consistency of VAR decisions, the standards for violent conduct, and the responsibility of senior players to de‑escalate on‑field confrontations. Critics argue that high‑profile players like Fernandes should be held to a higher standard, while supporters of the decision maintain that Foden’s reaction crossed the line. In the weeks ahead, the Premier League’s disciplinary committee is expected to review the incident further, potentially issuing additional sanctions or clarifications.
The case serves as a reminder that even seasoned professionals can find themselves at the center of controversy when emotions run high in one of football’s most intense rivalries. Overall, the Manchester derby will be remembered not only for Haaland’s decisive strike but also for the heated exchange that led to a red card, the ensuing punditry, and the broader conversation about fairness and accountability in modern football.