Alan Shearer brands Bruno Fernandes 'pathetic' for his role in Phil Foden's red card - and insists referee Michael Oliver was wrong to send off Man City star in Manchester derby

· DailyMail

Foden received his marching orders in the 23rd minute after he kicked out at the Man United captain, leaving Man City with 10 men for the majority of Sunday's match.

Alan Shearer has hit out at Bruno Fernandes for his role in Phil Foden 's red card during the Manchester derby.

Foden received his marching orders in the 23rd minute after he kicked out at the Man United captain, leaving Man City with 10 men for the majority of Sunday's match.

Foden's reaction came after Fernandes appeared to kick him while he was on the ground, before the Portuguese star writhed around in pain.

Despite this, Foden was the only one punished, a decision that Shearer felt was wrong.

> 'I thought the way Bruno Fernandes went down was pathetic,' he said on The Rest Is Football . '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 did then both get red cards. So, for me, either both are red or neither of them are.'

Shearer added: ' He’s kicked out, so he’s stupid, OK? But Bruno Fernandes has done the same thing so for me, without doubt, they both should’ve been a red card if Michael Oliver thinks Phil Foden’s is a red card.'

Several other pundits were critical of Fernandes, including Gabby Agbonlahor, who went even further in his assessment of the United skipper.

> ‘At the end of the day, Bruno Fernandes is a cheat,' he said on talkSPORT. ‘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. > > 'A proper referee goes over and says: “You two, cut it out, a yellow each, play on". It’s never a red card. > > ‘That’s why you get your karma. Maybe the goal that should’ve been disallowed on Haaland, is the karma you sometimes get in football for the red card to Phil Foden.’

The 'karma' Agbonlahor references is in relation to Erling Haaland's winning goal, which was awarded despite Enzo Fernandez appearing to interfere with play while in an offside position.

Although the goal was given following a VAR check, the official refereeing body, Pro Ref, admitted that was the wrong decision and apologised to United later on Sunday evening.

> In a statement, they said: 'Following the incident in the 60th minute of Sunday's Premier League fixture between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford, we can provide clarification regarding Erling Haaland's awarded goal. > > 'The on-field decision was offside against Erling Haaland – that was checked by VAR and he was found to be in an onside position. > > 'In the same attack, it was established that Enzo Fernandez did not play the ball and therefore that makes any offside offence subjective, however, on this occasion, the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review. > > 'Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement. A review of the incident will take place.'

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