The Manchester derby couldn’t have started in greater fashion, as Manchester City’s local lad and star player Phil Foden was shown red just 23 minutes in.
Referee Michael Oliver brandished the City No.47 with his marching orders after a kick-out against Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes’s stomach.
The retaliation from Foden came after the 2025/26 PFA Players’ Player of the Year kicked him while down on the floor, but there can be no complaints, really, after the England international forcefully kicked with both feet at the Red Devils’ star with more venom.
The incident has led the Premier League’s Match Centre account on X to publish their findings on the situation, along with a monologue from the referee and VAR operator.
The account writes, “The referee’s call of red card to Foden for violent conduct was checked and confirmed by VAR.
“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’.”
It’s not the most controversial decision, though Manchester United fans will be thanking their lucky stars Bruno Fernandes’s involvement wasn’t penalised, for digging at Foden and instigating the incident. However, the United skipper is unlikely to be sent off in this instance by any official.
The red card gives Manchester United a huge upper hand in a vital game for them, as they look to make the most of their man advantage.
#MUNMCI – 23’
The referee’s call of red card to Foden for violent conduct was checked and confirmed by VAR.
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…
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) September 13, 2026