Manchester United icon Roy Keane was sympathetic after Phil Foden was sent off in the Manchester derby, accusing Bruno Fernandes of being the violent one during a feisty incident.
Manchester City had to play half of the first 45 minutes plus the entire second half with a deficit after the early sending-off of midfielder Foden.
The decision of referee Michael Oliver did not appear to deter the visiting team, as they went on to win 1-0 at Old Trafford courtesy of a controversial goal.
Keane was of the opinion that Foden should never have been sent off for violent conduct, even if it did not change anything from a Manchester City perspective.
WHAT DID ROY KEANE SAY ABOUT THE INCIDENT?
Roy Keane was on punditry duty with Sky Sports, and he addressed the red card situation after it took place in the 23rd minute of the encounter.
While he was not sure, he thought that the card was shown for Foden's violent act, and spoke on this basis.
He argued that the violence came not from Foden, but from his adversary, Bruno Fernandes and clearly said that he did not think Foden should have been sent off.
"I'm guessing it's classed as 'violent conduct'.
To me, Bruno [Fernandes] is the one who's violent here! I have to call it out - I called out Kyle Walker a few years ago when he went down from a headbutt.
Listen, we see violence I suppose in a different way, but I don't think that's a red card for [Phil] Foden, I really don't!," he said.
Keane has a long-standing feud with Manchester United captain Fernandes, with the pair having clashed at the back end of the 2025-26 season over the midfielder's supposed pursuit of the assist record.
HOW THE INCIDENT UNFOLDED IN THE GAME
Manchester City had the ball in their own half when it was played out to near the far touchline. The Englishman tried to shield the ball from Fernandes before going down due to contact from the Portugal international.
Referee Oliver had blown his whistle for a foul to the home side, but Fernandes appeared to continue to nibble at Foden with a pair of subtle kicks to his back while standing over him.
Incensed, Foden appeared to kick out from the ground at Fernandes' mid-riff as he got to his feet, and was telling off the Manchester United man, who by now was rolling on the floor.
Oliver came brandishing a red card for Foden, having seen his original action as retaliatory and unduly violent, and he was sent off for the first time in the Premier League.
MANCHESTER UNITED FAILED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FODEN'S RED CARD IN DERBY DEFEAT
Manchester United were handed a tricky test once Phil Foden was sent off, as their task became to break down their opponents, rather than take advantage of transition opportunities.
The Red Devils have thrived with their transition-based style and did not look comfortable playing against the Cityzens, who were happy to drop back and play a much deeper defensive shape.
City boss Enzo Maresca correctly remarked after the game that the sending off stopped the home side from playing to their strength, which is catching teams out with their pace in behind.
Michael Carrick's side had 49% of the ball at the end of the first half, despite playing for around 25 minutes with an extra player.
The second half was much better for them in terms of possession and territory, but they often lacked the invention and guile to fashion out opportunities when they got forward.
They generated just 0.8 xG in the second half and created one big chance, a late Bryan Mbeumo shot which was brilliantly saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
They also lacked the street-wise nature of their opponents, who relieved pressure expertly by dribbling and winning fouls, particularly through half-time substitute Iliman Ndiaye. In the second half, the Red Devils committed 13 fouls to three by their opponents.
The game's defining moment ultimately came in the 60th minute, when Erling Haaland's effort was given despite an initial on-field offside call.
The VAR advised that the goal be awarded, much to the fury of everyone in red, and it turned out to be the winner.
