Phil Foden of Manchester City injures Bruno Fernandes of Manchester Utd and is shown a red card during the Premier League 2026/2
Bruno Fernandes in pain after clashing with Phil Foden. (Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United and Bruno Fernandes have been told that the captain deserved a red card following his actions in the Phil Foden incident during Sunday's derby match. Foden was sent off for kicking out at Fernandes in the first half, but replays showed that Fernandes had also kicked the England midfielder while on the floor.
City supporters were left incensed that Foden was the only player to get punished after a VAR review, though they had the last laugh when Pro Ref apologised for incorrectly allowing Erling Haaland's winner. Enzo Fernandez was adjudged not to have been interfering with play during the match, a decision that has since been described as a mistake by the refereeing organisation.
Foden received a straight red card for lashing out at Fernandes, yet the United captain had kicked the City star first, which provoked the retaliatory response.
Upon reviewing the incident, Alan Shearer claims that Fernandes should also have been punished with a red card.
Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, Shearer said: "I thought the way Bruno Fernandes went down was pathetic. He helped get Foden off and, yes, he's kicked out at him a little bit but Bruno Fernandes has also kicked Phil Foden.
"If Phil Foden reacts in the same way as Bruno Fernandes did then both get red cards. So, for me, either both are red or neither of them are.
"He's kicked out, so he's stupid, OK? But Bruno Fernandes has done the same thing so for me, without doubt, they both should've been a red card if Michael Oliver thinks Phil Foden's is a red card."
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Manchester City's English midfielder #47 Phil Foden (R) reacts to Referee Michael Oliver (2R) after being shown a red card for f
Phil Foden pleading his case before getting sent off. (Image: Getty Images)
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City boss Enzo Maresca reached the same verdict as Shearer. Speaking after the final whistle, he said: "Phil's card is a red card, but I also think the same action is a red card by Bruno.
"I think reviewing the action, and I reviewed it immediately, it is a clear red card for Phil because it is a reaction. But you can also see Bruno [foul Foden]. But anyway, it is what it is. Red card, but we won.
"Last year I was here with Chelsea and we had red card after three minutes, so next time I was hoping for a different story. We had a plan for 11 vs. 11, but after the red card, the game completely changed, but also for them.
"They [United] love transition and space in behind, but the game became more difficult with us and them We just drop, no space in behind and no more transition which is why the game was also more difficult for them."
Foden now faces a three-match suspension following his straight red card, unless City opt to challenge the ruling.
The England midfielder is expected to sit out the Carabao Cup clash against Norwich, the home fixture against Sunderland on September 20 and the away trip to Liverpool on October 11.