Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has taken aim at Bruno Fernandes following Phil Foden's controversial red card in Sunday's Manchester derby at Old Trafford.
Phil Foden was controversially sent off in Sunday's 1-0 win over Manchester United.
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Foden was dismissed for violent conduct in the 23rd minute of Manchester City's 1-0 win after appearing to kick out at Fernandes following a challenge in which Manchester United captain Fernandes himself had made contact with Foden's body.
The England international immediately reacted, giving referee Michael Oliver a clear reason to show a straight red card, with VAR official Matt Donohue confirming: "That looks like a clear red card to me. Looks to be a secondary movement."
The dismissal left Manchester City with 10 men for the majority of the game, forcing Enzo Maresca to restructure his side at half-time and spend the remainder of the contest defending their lead rather than pressing for more goals
While the officials' position on the incident was clear - Oliver citing "kick out into the body of Bruno" as his reasoning, with VAR upholding the decision - the reaction to Fernandes in the aftermath of the challenge drew widespread criticism.
The Manchester United captain had made initial contact with Foden, then reacted with exaggerated pain to Foden's retaliatory kick, a response that proved instrumental in prompting the red card.
We Need to Call People Out, It's Really Poor From Bruno Fernandes - Carragher
Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports, argued that Foden's dismissal was technically correct but that Fernandes came out of the incident considerably worse from a reputational standpoint.
"I actually [think] two yellow cards is enough," the UEFA Champions League winner said. "Phil Foden put his foot into him, but his foot's already high, it's not like he's lashed out and kicked out. But for me, the guilty party is Bruno [Fernandes]."
The former England international was particularly pointed in his criticism of the simulation element, suggesting the culture of winning red cards through overreaction is something the game needs to address head-on.
Carragher added: "Bruno's fouled him, that's football, he's then kicked him when he's on the floor, then he's rolled around - he's hardly been touched and he's rolling round to get somebody sent off. I don't think Bruno Fernandes comes out of that looking well at all, I think it's really poor from him. Phil Foden's reacted, he shouldn't, I get that."
Phil Foden was sent off for violent conduct in the first-half of Sunday's Manchester derby at Old Trafford.cityxtra.co.ukPhil Foden was sent off for violent conduct in the first-half of Sunday's Manchester derby at Old Trafford.
Revealed: Michael Oliver and VAR Outlook on Phil Foden Red Card Challenge in Manchester Derby
Carragher: There's Too Much Focus on Foden
The Sky Sports pundit went on to admit that Oliver was premature in handing a red card out of his pocket just seconds after Foden's retaliatory boot into Fernandes.
"I do think Michael Oliver was far too quick to get the red card out, because when we can see the referee cam, I don't think there's any way he can see where Phil Foden's foot is because Bruno's backside's almost facing the referee. How you see that in real time I don't know. There's too much focus on Foden. It should be Bruno!
"We need to start coming down hard on players who react like that when there's nothing wrong with them. We're encouraging players to do that to get somebody sent off, to give themselves a greater chance of winning. We need to call people out!"
What is the Wider Context of the Red Card for Foden?
As a result of the incident at Old Trafford, Foden has become the first Manchester City player to be dismissed against United since Bernardo Corradi in 2006.
The 26-year-old, who signed a new long-term contract until 2030 at the Etihad Stadium during the summer, has otherwise made an excellent start to the season - grabbing two assists in the 4-1 win at Crystal Palace and showing renewed signs of a redemption arc under a new manager.
A three-match domestic suspension - if the red card stands - would open the door for Ayyoub Bouaddi to come into the side, with Jeremy Doku also closing in on a return from the calf injury he has carried since August's 3-0 Community Shield defeat to Arsenal.
Foden's immediate future is now subject to whether City choose to appeal the red card, though the VAR review confirming the decision makes overturning it difficult. Maresca and his staff will assess their options in the central and wide attacking areas in Foden's absence, with Bouaddi and a returning Doku among the candidates to fill the void.