‘Game’s gone soft’ – Phil Foden told he’s unlucky to have been sent off for kick out at Bruno Fernandes

talkSPORT's Jamie O'Hara has slammed the decision to send Phil Foden off in the Manchester derby.

The Manchester City forward was given a straight red card for kicking out at Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes midway through the first half at Old Trafford.

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However, Fernandes appeared to make the most of what didn't appear to be a remotely forceful kick by Foden – and Fernandes even appeared to have kicked first.

O'Hara couldn't believe Foden had been dismissed, posting on X: "Fernandes kicks Foden first. That's never a red card. Game has gone so soft it's ridiculous."

But others could see why referee Michael Oliver reached for his pocket.

Speaking about the incident on talkSPORT, former Sunderland and England defender Micky Gray said: "Ridiculous from Foden and it's not like him" – although he noted that there was "a little kick out from Fernandes" beforehand.

Ex-Arsenal winger Perry Groves added: "Fernandes has played him and Foden has been a silly boy."

Meanwhile, ProRef explained Foden's dismissal, saying: "The referee’s call of red card to Foden for violent conduct was checked and confirmed by VAR.

"REF: 'Red card Phil Foden – kick out into the body of Bruno'.

"VAR: 'That looks like a clear red card to me. Looks to be a secondary movement. Confirming the red card for Manchester City No.47.'"

Foden becomes the first Man City player to be sent off in the derby since Bernardo Corradi in December 2006.

It's the second red card of Foden's career, the first having come in a Champions League game against Atalanta back in 2019.

It marked an early end to a difficult afternoon for the 26-year-old.

Despite spending just 23 minutes on the pitch, Foden was dispossessed more than any other player during the first half.

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