Manchester United icon Roy Keane has slammed Bruno Fernandes as "violent" after Phil Foden was sent off in the Manchester derby. Foden was given his marching order 25 minutes into the clash at Old Trafford after he was shoved over by Fernandes, and then kicked, before lashing out. Michael Oliver swiftly flashed Foden the red card and VAR confirmed the decision.
VAR confirms red card decision
A post on the Premier League's Match Centre account on X read: "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'."
Keane and Richards disagree with referee
However, Keane was furious with the decision: "For me, Bruno was the one who was violent here! I have to call it out, I called Kyle Walker out a few years ago when he went down with a headbutt. You might see violent in a different way. But I don't think that's a red card for Foden!" And Micah Richards, who was in the studio with Keane, agreed with the former United captain. "Fernandes catches him! I don't agree with Foden's response, but it's Fernandes who started it." Richards even added that if the roles were reversed Fernandes would have been "rolling around" after Foden's initial kick.
Pundits split on the decision
Gary Neville, who was on comms, also agreed Fernandes should have been punished: "I am surprised that Fernandes has got away without a booking." Wayne Rooney was convinced it shouldn't have been a red card. Rooney, speaking on the BBC, said: "That can't be a red card. It was more of a flick or a gesture, than a kick out." While Danny Murphy went against his fellow pundit: "Bruno kicked Foden first, but that's not a red for him. But then Foden did kick out at him and if you kick upwards, you are going to get a red."
