Alan Shearer has criticised Fernandes for his role in Phil Foden’s sending-off during Manchester United’s 1-0 derby defeat to Manchester City.
Fernandes was involved in the incident that saw Phil Foden shown a red card in the opening half. The City midfielder kicked out at the United captain while he was down on the floor.
However, Alan Shearer believes the officials got the incident wrong and argues that both players should have been dismissed.
Shearer believes Bruno Fernandes and Foden should have seen red
“I didn’t agree with either of them to be honest,” Shearer said on The Rest Is Football when discussing Foden’s red card and Erling Haaland’s controversial winner.
“But 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 accepted that Foden was foolish for kicking out, but felt Fernandes had done enough to deserve the same punishment.
“You say to Phil Foden, look you’ve been red carded for kicking out. Now, whether it was a hard one or whether it was a soft one, it was a soft one like Bruno Fernandes’ was.”
Shearer ultimately put the responsibility on referee Michael Oliver, arguing that the decisions should have matched.
“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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