Roy Keane has taken a firm stance on the controversial dismissal of Phil Foden during the Manchester derby, arguing that the young Manchester City attacker should not have been shown a red card and taking issue with the role played by United captain Bruno Fernandes. The incident unfolded in the first half of Manchester City's narrow 1-0 victory at Old Trafford, when Foden was sent off for a kick directed at Fernandes after the Portuguese midfielder had brought him down. The immediate reaction from Sky Sports pundits was one of surprise. Gary Neville, speaking on the network's post‑match analysis, expressed astonishment that Fernandes escaped any sanction, noting that the midfielder appeared to have kicked Foden first.
Keane, a former United player and now a regular commentator, echoed Neville's sentiment and went further, labeling Fernandes' conduct as "violent." During his interview with Sky Sports, 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 added that he felt compelled to call out the incident because he had previously criticised other players for similar behaviour, such as Kyle Walker's head‑butt incident that led to Rasmus Hojlund's dismissal in December 2024.
"I don't think that's a red card for Foden, I really don't," Keane insisted. Keane also questioned whether the referee was given a fair chance to assess the situation, suggesting that both players behaved poorly. "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 reminded viewers that all players belong to the Professional Footballers' Association, a union that encourages mutual respect on the pitch. "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," he said. "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 manager Enzo Maresca was also asked to weigh in. He acknowledged the seriousness of Foden's dismissal but argued that Fernandes should have been punished as well.
"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 while Foden's reaction warranted a sending‑off, the Portuguese midfielder's initial intention was equally culpable.
"So for me, yes, it's a red card for Phil, but it's also a red card for Bruno," he added. Former City defender Micah Richards shared a similar view, stating that Fernandes' involvement was the catalyst for the incident. "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 clarification confirming that the referee's decision to send off Foden for violent conduct had been reviewed and upheld by VAR.
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 controversy, the derby was rife with other contentious moments. Erling Haaland's decisive goal in the 60th minute was initially ruled out for off‑side, only to be reinstated after a VAR review.
The officials determined that Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu had kept Haaland onside, but Enzo Fernandez, despite not touching the ball, was in an off‑side position and appeared to impede United defender Lisandro Martinez. By the letter of the law, the goal should have remained disallowed, yet the VAR decision stood.
Three hours after full‑time, the refereeing body Pro Ref publicly admitted an "error in judgement" regarding the goal. 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, including former referee Nevill, predicted that Pro Ref would issue an apology for allowing the goal to stand.
The fallout from the match has sparked a broader debate about consistency in disciplinary actions and the influence of VAR on high‑stakes fixtures. Critics argue that the differing treatment of Foden and Fernandes highlights a lack of uniform standards, while supporters of the current system claim that the technology provides the most accurate outcomes possible, even if they sometimes appear contradictory. As the Premier League season progresses, the incident serves as a reminder that emotions run high in derby matches and that players, officials, and analysts must navigate a fine line between competitive intensity and adherence to the rules. The conversation surrounding the red card and the subsequent VAR decision is likely to continue, with fans and pundits alike awaiting any further clarification or potential disciplinary reviews from the league's governing bodies.