Foden taunts United fans after red card as 10-man City win the Manchester derby

Phil Foden was dismissed for violent conduct inside the first half-hour of the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on Sunday, yet had the last laugh — gesturing a 1-0 sign to United supporters as he left the ground after City secured the win.

Referee Michael Oliver sent the 26-year-old off in the 23rd minute after he kicked out at Bruno Fernandes, a decision upheld by VAR. Despite playing the majority of the match with 10 men, City claimed victory through Erling Haaland’s second-half strike, though the goal was not without controversy — Pro Ref have since apologised after Enzo Fernandez was clearly offside in the build-up.

Foden now faces a three-match domestic ban for violent conduct, ruling him out of City’s Carabao Cup tie with Norwich in midweek, as well as Premier League fixtures against Sunderland and Liverpool.

City manager Enzo Maresca accepted that his forward deserved to go, but argued Fernandes should have also been punished. “Phil’s card is a red card, but I also think the same action is a red card by Bruno,” Maresca said. “I think reviewing the action, and I reviewed it immediately, it is a clear red card for Phil because it is a reaction. But you can also see Bruno [foul Foden]. But anyway, it is what it is. Red card, but we won.”

Maresca drew on his own experience on the same ground, adding: “Last year I was here with Chelsea and we had a red card after three minutes, so next time I was hoping for a different story.”

Former United captain Gary Neville echoed the view that Fernandes escaped punishment he deserved. “I’m surprised Fernandes didn’t get a yellow for the kick on the floor — he’s certainly pulled a reaction out of Foden which will help his team-mates,” Neville said. “I thought it was a yellow card for Bruno Fernandes and I’d like it not to have been a red for Phil Foden. But I completely understand why it was, because when you’ve kicked someone in the stomach, you’re more often than not done.”

The result leaves City second in the Premier League, one of two sides alongside Arsenal with perfect records through the opening weeks of the season. United, by contrast, sit 13th after winning just one of their first four games under Michael Carrick.