Roy Keane believes Bruno Fernandes should have been booked for a tackle on Phil Foden before the Manchester City star reacted and ultimately received marching orders in the Manchester derby
Roy Keane
Roy Keane has spoken about the incident that happened in the first half
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Roy Keane argued that Bruno Fernandes was the one who committed the 'violent' offence on Phil Foden, yet it was the Manchester City star who ended up being sent off. Foden appeared to respond with a blow to Fernandes' stomach, while the Portuguese midfielder avoided a card despite seeming to kick Foden as he tried to win back possession.
Foden was later shown a straight red in the 23rd minute at Old Trafford after kicking out at the Manchester United captain. Replays, however, showed that Foden had initially been fouled by Fernandes near the far touchline, with the United midfielder seeming to swipe at the City forward as he sat on the turf.
Foden reacted badly to Fernandes' challenge and kicked back, catching him with both feet in the lower abdomen and sending the Portuguese midfielder to the ground. Referee Michael Oliver had no hesitation in showing Foden a straight red, leaving the City forward stunned, while Fernandes went unpunished despite appearing to kick the City man first.
A Premier League explanation read: "#MUNMCI – 23’ The referee’s call of red card to Foden for violent conduct was checked and confirmed by VAR."
Referee Oliver said: "Red card Phil Foden – kick out into the body of Bruno."
VAR said: "That looks like a clear red card to me. Looks to be a secondary movement. Confirming the red card for Manchester City No.47'."
Speaking about the incident at half-time, Keane suggested Fernandes 'was the one who was violent' during the challenge. He told Sky Sports: "Do I have to? Bruno tackles him, fouls him, gives him a little boot on the floor, reacts and he's now sent off. Bruno catches him, Foden sent off, I guess it's classed as violent and to me, Bruno is the one who violent.
"I have to call it out, called it with Kyle Walker a few years ago when he went down after a head butt, we see violent differently. I don't think that's a red card for Foden, I don't. 'Did the referee get given a chance?'
"Foden is daft here but so is Bruno. If Bruno got sent off, we'd be saying, 'it was a daft, a bit silly.' Everyone's in a union, you've got to look out for each other. We saw Walker a few years ago do it with a head butt, Bruno has got to do better there. It's a big game, you've got to look after the opposition players as well. Foden, I don't think it's a red card."
However, Oliver did not deem the Portugal international's challenge worthy of a booking. Former United right‑back Gary Neville admitted he was surprised Fernandes wasn't at least shown a yellow card, though he felt the decision to send Foden off was correct.
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"I'm surprised Bruno didn't get a yellow, I don't think it's a red but he's got away with one," he told Sky sports. "He certainly pulled a reaction out of Foden which will help his teammates."
On the challenge, Neville added: "Well he's not having it Phil Foden, Bruno Fernandes has a bit of kick at him while he's on the ground and it look like he reacts. Is it a punch in the stomach? A kick in the stomach?
Phil Foden of Manchester City injures Bruno Fernandes of Manchester Utd and is shown a red card during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Manchester City
Phil Foden was handed a red card for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes(Image: (Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images))
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"The thing I thought he got wrong, that's a yellow card for Bruno Fernandes, that one you're not going to get away with. He's shocked Phil Foden but once he gets into the dressing room, he'll realise.
"He's kicked into the stomach. He's not going to get away with that. You can see why he's annoyed Foden, he thinks Bruno kicked at him while he's down. He then reacts badly. VAR described it as a kick with both feet into the stomach. I have reacted and sent off in a Manchester derby, it is a painful run down the tunnel."
City were reduced to 10 men in the 23rd minute, with Erling Haaland then scoring the opening goal on the hour mark.