Bruno Fernandes Told He Should Have Seen Red Too — Phil Foden’s Manchester Derby Dismissal Sparks Fresh Controversy

Phil Foden’s red card in Manchester City’s 1-0 derby win over Manchester United has been turned on its head after former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett argued that Bruno Fernandes should have been punished for his role in the flashpoint.

Foden was sent off during the first half at Old Trafford after kicking out at Fernandes following a challenge from the United captain. But replays appeared to show Fernandes making contact with Foden first, immediately raising questions over whether the City midfielder was the only player who deserved to see red.

Hackett believes Fernandes should at least have been booked — and revealed that some of his former refereeing colleagues went further.

Hackett: Fernandes Should Have Been Sanctioned

Hackett told Football Insider that Fernandes’ initial challenge was reckless and warranted disciplinary action.

“The minimum that the Man United player should have received is a yellow card because his actions were reckless,” he said.

“But it was a kick. So I’m actually saying he should have received a sanction. I’ve already spoken to one or two colleagues who believe that he should have been sent off.”

Hackett ultimately favoured a yellow rather than a red because he did not believe Fernandes used excessive force or acted with malice.

“But the thing that persuades me towards yellow and against red is I don’t think there was any excessive force and I generally don’t think there was malice in it,” he added.

For Hackett, however, the fact that Fernandes escaped without even a yellow was the clear error.

“Certainly not getting a yellow was an error by the referee.”

Maresca Wanted Two Red Cards

Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca went even further after the match.

While accepting that Foden’s reaction was worthy of a red card, he argued that Fernandes should have been dismissed for his part in the same incident.

“I think Phil Foden’s red card is a red card, but I also think that in the same action it’s a red card for Bruno Fernandes,” Maresca said.

The City boss explained that he had immediately reviewed the incident from the bench and believed Fernandes’ actions could not simply be ignored because Foden’s reaction came afterwards.

“So for me, yes, it’s a red card for Phil, but it’s also a red card for Bruno.”

Roy Keane: ‘Bruno’s The One Who’s Violent Here’

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane also questioned Foden’s dismissal.

Speaking at half-time, Keane pointed to the sequence of events that preceded the red card.

“Bruno goes in, tackles him, clearly fouls him and gives him a little boot on the floor. Foden gets up, does react, and he’s now sent off,” Keane said.

While Foden’s reaction could be classified as violent conduct, Keane felt Fernandes’ initial action deserved far greater scrutiny.

“To me Bruno’s the one who’s violent here. I have to call it out.”

Keane also referenced Kyle Walker’s controversial incident involving Rasmus Hojlund in 2024, arguing that players should not be encouraged to exaggerate contact or roll around in an attempt to influence refereeing decisions.

“I don’t think that’s a red card for Foden, I really don’t,” he said.

Foden Paid The Price — Fernandes Escaped

Keane acknowledged that Foden had made a mistake by reacting, but insisted Fernandes also had a responsibility to avoid escalating the confrontation.

“Foden’s a bit daft here, but so is Bruno,” he said.

His wider criticism was aimed at the culture around these incidents, arguing that players should look out for one another rather than turning minor contact into disciplinary flashpoints.

In the end, Foden was the only player sent off.

Fernandes remained on the pitch, while City went on to win 1-0 at Old Trafford.

And with Hackett, Maresca and Keane all questioning Fernandes’ role in the incident, the biggest argument surrounding Foden’s red card may no longer be whether the City star deserved punishment — but whether the United captain should have been punished alongside him.