Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden received a straight red card in the 23rd minute of the Manchester derby at Old Trafford after kicking out at Bruno Fernandes. Referee Michael Oliver dismissed Foden, 26, making him only the second City player sent off in a Premier League derby after Bernardo Corradi in 2006. The incident occurred when Fernandes tripped Foden, who then retaliated while on the ground. Replays suggested Fernandes kicked Foden first, but VAR confirmed the red card without booking the United captain.

Pundits were sharply divided. Wayne Rooney called it "more of a flick or a gesture," while Roy Keane argued Fernandes was "the one who is violent." Danny Murphy and Gary Neville noted Fernandes provoked the reaction, with Neville surprised he escaped a yellow. Paul Robinson deemed Foden's act "petulant" and "stupid." Fans echoed the split, with some calling the decision "bonkers" and others a "nailed on red."

BBC Sport's Dale Johnson explained VAR could not intervene on a potential yellow for Fernandes, as guidance now distinguishes violent conduct from petulance. The controversy overshadowed the derby's early stages.