Roy Keane has publicly expressed his belief that Phil Foden was wrongly dismissed during the Manchester derby, and he has also taken aim at Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes for his part in the incident that led to the City forward's sending off. 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 referee deemed that the young midfielder had kicked out at Bruno Fernandes after being brought down by the United midfielder, prompting a dismissal that sparked immediate debate. Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville was quick to comment, stating that he was "surprised" Fernandes escaped any sanction, especially after replays suggested he may have initiated contact with Foden. Keane, sharing the screen with his former Manchester United teammate, agreed that the Portuguese international's actions were "violent" and that the punishment did not fit the provocation. Keane explained his viewpoint to Sky Sports, saying: "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 headbutt [which Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund was sent off for in December 2024]. I don't think that's a red card for Foden, I really don't." He continued, adding a broader perspective on player conduct: "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 have to look out for each other; you can't be rolling around. We saw Walker do it a few years ago with the headbutt and Bruno's got to do better there.
People say there's tension and it's a big game, but you have 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 was also asked to weigh in on the matter.
He offered a nuanced take: "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." Former City defender Micah Richards echoed Keane's sentiment, suggesting 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 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 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 commentator 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 incident, the derby was riddled with other contentious moments. Erling Haaland's winning goal in the 60th minute was initially ruled out for off‑side, only for VAR to overturn the decision after determining that Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu had inadvertently placed the ball onside.
However, the review also highlighted that Manchester City's Enzo Fernandez was in an off‑side position when he attempted to play the ball, a factor that, according to the laws of the game, should have nullified the goal because his movement interfered with United defender Lisandro Martinez. Pro Ref, the organization that provides refereeing services for the Premier League, later admitted an "error in judgement" regarding the goal. A statement released three hours after full‑time 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 such as Nevill predicted that Pro Ref would issue a formal apology for allowing the goal to stand.
The fallout from the match has sparked a wider conversation about consistency in officiating, the role of VAR, and the responsibilities of high‑profile players in maintaining discipline on the pitch. Critics argue that the disparity between the treatment of Foden and Fernandes underscores a broader issue of selective enforcement, while supporters of the decisions point to the clear evidence of violent conduct on Foden's part.
In the days following the derby, fans and pundits alike have taken to social media to debate whether the red card was justified. Some argue that Foden's reaction, though ill‑advised, was a direct response to a provocation that should have been addressed by the referee before escalating to a dismissal. Others maintain that any physical retaliation, regardless of context, warrants a strict sanction to deter future incidents.
The incident also raises questions about the influence of player reputation on disciplinary outcomes. Fernandes, a seasoned international known for his competitive edge, may benefit from a perception of being a seasoned professional, whereas younger players like Foden could be judged more harshly for momentary lapses. This dynamic fuels ongoing discussions about fairness and the need for transparent guidelines that apply uniformly across all levels of the game. As the Premier League season progresses, both clubs will likely reflect on the lessons from this heated encounter.
Manchester City will have to manage the absence of Foden, a key creative outlet, while United will consider how to mitigate disciplinary risks associated with high‑intensity matches. Meanwhile, the governing bodies are expected to review the incident in detail, potentially leading to updated protocols for handling similar situations in future fixtures. Overall, the Manchester derby will be remembered not only for Haaland's decisive strike but also for the contentious red card that sparked a heated debate among former players, coaches, and analysts. The discourse highlights the delicate balance between passion and professionalism on football's biggest stages, and it underscores the continuing evolution of officiating standards in the modern game.