Roy Keane has voiced strong doubts about the decision to send Phil Foden off 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 the Manchester City forward received a straight red card in the first half of City’s 1-0 victory at Old Trafford after he appeared to kick out at Fernandes following a challenge by the United midfielder. The immediate reaction on the Sky Sports panel was one of surprise.
Gary Neville, a former United player turned pundit, said he was "surprised" that Fernandes escaped any sanction, especially since video replays suggested he may have struck Foden first. Keane, a former United legend and now a regular analyst, agreed with his colleague and described the Portugal international’s actions as "violent". Keane explained his view in detail: "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 (which 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 rhetorical question about the referee’s decision‑making: "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 head coach Enzo Maresca was also asked to weigh in. He said, "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 a similar sentiment, arguing that Fernandes should have been punished as well. "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," he told Sky Sports.
The Premier League’s Match Centre later published a technical explanation confirming that the referee’s decision to dismiss 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 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 to be reinstated after a VAR review. The review concluded that Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu had inadvertently put Haaland onside, while Manchester City midfielder Enzo Fernández, though off‑side, did not touch the ball. Nevertheless, his movement appeared to interfere with United defender Lisandro Martínez, a factor that, under the Laws of the Game, should have kept the goal disallowed. Three hours after full‑time, the refereeing body Pro Ref admitted an "error in judgement" regarding the goal, and a spokesperson confirmed that they had contacted Manchester United to acknowledge the mistake and would conduct a formal review.
The fallout from the match has sparked a broader debate about consistency in disciplinary standards. Critics argue that high‑profile players often receive lenient treatment, while lesser‑known athletes face harsher sanctions for similar actions. Keane’s comments reflect this frustration, as he highlighted previous incidents where players like Kyle Walker were scrutinised for violent conduct, yet escaped dismissal.
The conversation also touches on the role of the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) and the expectation that players, as union members, should protect one another and uphold sportsmanship, even in heated rivalries. In the weeks following the derby, pundits and fans alike have continued to dissect the footage, with many agreeing that both Foden and Fernandes contributed to the escalation.
Some analysts suggest that a clearer protocol for assessing simultaneous infractions could prevent future confusion, proposing that referees be given explicit guidance on how to allocate cards when two players commit fouls in quick succession. Overall, the Manchester derby will be remembered not only for Haaland’s decisive strike but also for the heated debate over disciplinary fairness. Roy Keane’s outspoken criticism underscores a lingering tension in English football: the balance between protecting players, maintaining the flow of the game, and ensuring that the rules are applied uniformly, regardless of a player’s stature or the magnitude of the match.