Roy Keane has publicly argued that Phil Foden’s straight red card in the Manchester derby was unwarranted and has taken aim at Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes for his part in the episode. The controversy began when the Manchester City forward was shown a first‑half red card after a heated exchange with the United midfielder during City’s 1‑0 victory at Old Trafford. The incident unfolded in the 23rd minute when Foden, after being brought down by Fernandes, reacted by kicking out at the Portuguese playmaker. The referee immediately deemed the action violent conduct and sent the England international off, a decision later upheld by VAR.
The decision sparked an instant outcry among pundits and former players. Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville was among the first to voice his surprise, noting that Fernandes appeared to have initiated the contact and should have faced disciplinary action himself. Keane, a former Manchester United captain and regular Sky Sports pundit, echoed Neville’s sentiment and went further, describing Fernandes’s challenge as "violent" and questioning why the United midfielder escaped any sanction. In his post‑match interview with Sky Sports, Keane said: "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, and I think we need the same consistency here. I don't think that's a red card for Foden, I really don't." He continued, adding a dose of sarcasm: "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 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’s head coach Enzo Maresca was also asked to weigh in on the incident. He offered a more nuanced view, acknowledging the red card for Foden while suggesting that Fernandes’s involvement could have merited a dismissal 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. 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," Maresca explained. Former City defender Micah Richards added his voice to the chorus of criticism aimed at the United midfielder.
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 Match Centre later released an official clarification confirming that the referee’s decision was reviewed and upheld by VAR. The VAR commentary read: "Red card Phil Foden – kick out into the body of Bruno. 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‑Fernandes saga, the derby itself was riddled with contentious moments.
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 review concluded that Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu had kept Haaland onside, while City’s Enzo Fernandez, though off‑side, did not interfere with the ball.
However, his movement appeared to distract United defender Lisandro Martinez, a nuance that, under the laws of the game, could have nullified the goal. Three hours after full‑time, the refereeing body Pro Ref admitted an "error in judgement" regarding the goal, promising a review and an apology to Manchester United. The fallout from the match has reignited debates about consistency in officiating, especially concerning violent conduct and the use of VAR.
Critics argue that similar incidents have been punished differently, pointing to past cases involving Kyle Walker and other high‑profile players. The inconsistency fuels calls for clearer guidelines and perhaps a more transparent VAR protocol.
In summary, Roy Keane’s outspoken criticism highlights a broader concern: the need for equitable treatment of all players, regardless of stature or club affiliation. While the referee’s decision to send off Foden stands, many former players and analysts believe that Bruno Fernandes should have faced at least a caution, if not a dismissal, for his initial challenge. The incident serves as a reminder that the pressure of a derby should not excuse violent conduct, and that the governing bodies must strive for uniformity in applying the rules to preserve the integrity of the sport.