Roy Keane has voiced strong opposition to the decision that saw Phil Foden expelled during the Manchester derby, and he also took aim at Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes for his part in the incident. The controversy began when Foden received a straight red card in the first half of Manchester City’s 1-0 triumph at Old Trafford.
The dismissal followed a scuffle in which the City forward appeared to kick at Fernandes after the Portuguese midfielder had brought him down. Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville was quick to react, describing his surprise that Fernandes escaped any sanction despite what looked like a retaliatory kick toward Foden. Keane, who now works as a pundit for the same network, agreed with his former teammate and labeled the Portugal international’s actions as "violent". In an interview with Sky Sports, Keane recounted the sequence: "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 went on to compare the situation with a past incident involving Kyle Walker, noting that he had previously criticised Walker for a head‑butt that resulted in a red card for Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund in December 2024. "I don’t think that’s a red card for Foden, I really don’t," Keane added, emphasizing his belief that the punishment was disproportionate. Keane questioned whether the referee had been 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 also highlighted the role of the Professional Footballers' Association, reminding everyone that players belong to a union and should look out for each other 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. 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," Keane argued.
When asked directly about the red‑card decision, Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca offered a nuanced view. He acknowledged that Foden’s dismissal was justified, describing it as a clear case of violent conduct confirmed by VAR. However, Maresca also argued that the same incident warranted a red card for Fernandes.
"I reviewed the action immediately after the red card on the bench. It’s a clear red card for Phil because it’s a reaction, but you can also see Bruno’s intention in the same sequence. So for me, yes, it’s a red card for Phil, but it’s also a red card for Bruno," he said.
Former City defender Micah Richards echoed Keane’s sentiment, insisting that Fernandes should have faced disciplinary action. Richards told Sky Sports: "Foden didn’t react. If he had started screaming on the floor, then Bruno 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 Match Centre later published a detailed clarification of the decision.
The referee’s report stated: "Red card Phil Foden – kick out into the body of Bruno," and VAR confirmed the call, noting a "clear red card" and describing the incident as a secondary movement that warranted dismissal. The derby was not only marked by the Foden controversy but also by a separate, high‑profile VAR debate. Erling Haaland’s winning goal in the 60th minute was initially ruled out for off‑side, only to be overturned after a review.
The officials determined that Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu had kept Haaland onside, while City’s Enzo Fernandez, though off‑side, was deemed to have interfered with United defender Lisandro Martinez’s line of sight. According to the Laws of the Game, such interference should have kept the goal disallowed, yet the decision stood.
Three hours after full‑time, the refereeing body Pro Ref 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 a formal apology for allowing the goal to stand.
The fallout from the match has sparked a broader conversation about consistency in officiating, the role of VAR, and the responsibilities of high‑profile players in heated rivalries. While Keane, Richards, and even Maresca have all highlighted the need for stricter accountability, the incident also underscores how split‑second decisions can shape the narrative of a season‑defining fixture. Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely as the Premier League reviews the case, hoping for clearer guidelines that prevent similar controversies in future derbies.