Roy Keane convinced Phil Foden lashing out was NOT a red card as Man Utd legend leaps to England star’s defence

ROY KEANE stood up for Phil Foden after he was handed a controversial red card in the first Manchester derby of the season. The Man City star was left in a heap on the floor after United’s Bruno Fernandes tripped him up wide on the right. Phil Foden was sent off after 23 minutes into the Manchester derby Credit: Getty United legend Roy Keane came out in defence of the Man City star Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Foden, 26, then kicked out at the stomach of the Portugal international and was immediately sent down the tunnel after 23 minutes – much to Foden’s protests. And while Foden will be having an early bath, Keane has come out in his defence. Sign up for the Man United newsletter Thank you! The Sky Sports pundit said: “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.” Meanwhile, another Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney said: “That can’t be a red card. It was more of a flick or a gesture, than a kick out.” And Gary Neville added: “A painful moment for Foden to have to make that run down the long tunnel. Most read in Sport BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Both sides went into the break level before Erling Haaland handed City the lead Credit: Shutterstock Editorial “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.” The sides went into the break level but it was City’s talisman Erling Haaland that handed the visitors the lead on the hour mark. Fans were left baffled after Haaland’s efforts looked to be offside. But after review, officials said that Patrick Dorgu’s stretched foot played the Norwegian on and decided that Enzo Fernandez did not interfere with play. Comment now