Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images
The Manchester derby brought the heat out of nowhere when Phil Foden was sent off for a kick at Bruno Fernandes.
In the first half, with the ball at Foden’s feet, Bruno Fernandes had a nibble at the Man City player, leading to him falling to the ground.
Fernandes kicked the ball from under him, something Foden didn’t take kindly to, and he lashed out.
Referee Michael Oliver clearly saw Foden throw a kick at Fernandes’ stomach, and showed no hesitation in showing him the red card.
Manchester United v Manchester City - Premier League 2026/27
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Mark Clattenburg on Phil Foden’s red card
There can be no doubts about the sending off, as kicking out at a player clearly comes under “violent conduct”, which results in a red card.
In fact, it won’t be a surprise if Foden’s ban is extended further when a disciplinary hearing is held.
Former Premier League referee, Mark Clattenburg, made the same point, but said that despite the clear verdict, it was not a full verdict.
He told United in Focus: “Phil Foden can have no complaints on his red card after making a clear kicking action towards Bruno Fernandes. Maybe one can argue that Fernandes is lucky not to receive a yellow card for making contact with his boot on the body of Foden but to react in this way with studs towards an opponent is a violent act and this is a red card in the laws of the game.”
City gesticulated wildly upon seeing the red card and made the same point, but it was an expert bit of gamesmanship from the Man Utd captain.
He pushed all the right buttons on Foden and the City player lost his head, leaving his team down to ten men.
Could Fernandes have received a yellow card? Maybe. But when the reaction was nowhere near proportional to the action, the latter is often forgotten.
That’s what happened with Foden, despite Fernandes being “lucky” to avoid a yellow.