Haaland Goal Error Deepens Fury Over Foden Red Card in Manchester Derby

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane questioned the decision to dismiss Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden during the turbulent Manchester derby, while match officiating body Pro Ref later admitted that Erling Haaland’s decisive goal should have been disallowed.

The match’s first major flashpoint came when Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes and Foden became entangled during the first half. Fernandes initially kicked out at Foden while on the ground, and Foden responded by extending both feet into Fernandes’ midriff, sending the Portuguese midfielder to the turf.

Referee Michael Oliver issued a straight red card only to Foden for violent conduct. Oliver, a FIFA-listed referee and a member of the Premier League’s Select Group 1 since 2010, left Fernandes unpenalized. Under International Football Association Board (IFAB) rules, a straight red card for violent conduct carries an automatic three-match domestic suspension.

Despite having a numerical advantage after Foden’s ejection, Manchester United could not capitalize before Haaland scored the goal that decided the match. Pro Ref later confirmed that the goal had been awarded in error and should not have stood.

Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer with 260 goals and a former England captain, discussed the incident on “The Rest Is Football” podcast. He criticized Fernandes’ behavior and the uneven disciplinary outcome.

“I thought the way Bruno Fernandes went down was pathetic,” Shearer said. “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 do they both get red cards? So, for me, either both are red or neither of them are.”

Former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor also criticized Fernandes’ gamesmanship and Oliver’s handling of the altercation while speaking on talkSPORT.

“At the end of the day, Bruno Fernandes is a cheat,” Agbonlahor said. “He’s an outstanding player, but he’s a cheat. You’ve kicked Foden twice on the floor, which should have been a red card to you. Then Foden’s lashed out a tiny little bit and you’re rolling around when you’re not hurt.”

Agbonlahor said the confrontation should have been handled with lower-level disciplinary action rather than an ejection that fundamentally altered the match. “A proper referee goes over and says: ‘You two, cut it out, a yellow each, play on.’ It’s never a red card,” he added. He described Pro Ref’s later admission about Haaland’s goal as “karma” for the initial sending-off.

Keane, who won seven Premier League titles with Manchester United, analyzed the match for Sky Sports and focused on conduct among professional union members while placing responsibility for the escalation on Fernandes.

“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. “I’m guessing it’s classed as violent conduct, but to me Bruno’s the one who’s violent here. I have to call it out. I don’t think that’s a red card for Foden, I really don’t.”

He also emphasized the professional obligation players share within the domestic game. “The players are all in the PFA [Professional Footballers’ Association], everyone’s in a union – you’ve got to try and look out for each other; you can’t be rolling around,” Keane said.

The decision to penalize only Foden drew widespread criticism from prominent figures across English soccer, who pointed to both the initial provocation and the exaggeration of contact. The controversy added to renewed scrutiny of Premier League officiating and match discipline.

Fernandes joined Manchester United from Sporting CP in January 2020 and became club captain in July 2023. He has frequently been involved in high-profile disciplinary discussions.

Foden, a graduate of Manchester City’s academy, was named the PFA Players' Player of the Year for the 2023–24 season. He now faces the fallout of the disciplinary decision amid ongoing discussions over officiating consistency in the Premier League.