The Manchester derby absolutely exploded early on Sunday when Phil Foden was shown a straight red card in the 23rd minute at Old Trafford. This wasn’t some soft call either, it was a moment that sent the physicality of the match skyrocketing and left everyone watching with their jaws on the floor wondering what just happened.
The Instant Chaos That Rocked Old Trafford
Man City’s Foden was already down on the pitch when Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes came in with a kick to his lower back. Fernandes then swung his leg around Foden, seemingly trying to get the ball but also kicking at the player. Foden’s immediate, instinctive reaction was a cleats-up kick right into Fernandes’ mid-section. Referee Michael Oliver didn’t hesitate, walking straight over and sending Foden packing with a red card. It was a clear, direct dismissal. What’s wild is that while all this went down, the VAR review decided *not* to discipline Fernandes at all. Seriously?
The VAR Decision That Has Everyone Scratching Their Heads
Some folks argued Foden could have just gotten a yellow, but come on, these guys have metal studs on their boots. A play like that always has to be a red card, no matter how big the game is. But here’s the kicker: Fernandes’ initial kick to Foden’s lower back was absolutely as capable of causing injury as Foden’s retaliatory move. How did VAR not see that? The review system couldn’t have just given Fernandes a yellow card, only a red, and it’s likely that was part of the discussion. Derbies are always huge events, packed with passion, but the officiating bar cannot be lowered just because of the stage. We saw Mikel Arteta freak out about a penalty call swinging a title race, and this Foden decision, coupled with Fernandes escaping punishment, definitely feels like it has a rocket attached to it for future implications.
Bruno Fernandes might even end up being considered Man of the Match for his sheer instigation of the event. It’s hard to wrap your head around Foden getting the early shower and Fernandes, the United captain, walking away completely clean after initiating that whole mess. This isn’t just about one game; it sets a precedent for how these intense, physical matchups are going to be called moving forward. Do you think Fernandes should have been sent off? Could he have been? These are the questions that will be buzzing around Manchester until the next time these teams meet.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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