Former England captain Alan Shearer has branded Bruno Fernandes “pathetic” following his part in Phil Foden’s red card on Sunday.
Manchester United captain Fernandes was involved in the first-half fracas, initially kicking Foden before falling to the ground theatrically when the Manchester City midfielder reacted by poking both feet into the Portuguese’s midriff.
It was hard to distinguish between the two acts of petulance but only Foden received a red card from referee Michael Oliver.
Shearer told The Rest Is Football podcast: “The way Bruno Fernandes went down was pathetic. 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 do they both get red cards? So, for me, either both are red or neither of them are.”
Agbonlahor brands Fernandes a “cheat”
United failed to make the most of their man advantage with Erling Haaland’s controversial winner – a goal Pro Ref later admitted should not have stood – proving decisive.
It was a game short of quality but high on talking points with talkSPORT presenter Gabby Agbonlahor also hitting out at Fernandes.
The former Aston Villa striker said: “At the end of the day, Bruno Fernandes is a cheat. 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.”
Keane disappointed by lack of solidarity among players
Speaking as one of Sky Sports’ pundits on Sunday, former United midfielder Roy Keane also felt Fernandes had got contributed to Foden’s dismissal.
The Irishman said: “Bruno goes in, tackles him, clearly fouls him and gives him a little boot on the floor. Foden gets up, does react, and he’s now sent off.
“I’m guessing it’s classed as violent conduct, but to me Bruno’s the one who’s violent here. I have to call it out. I don’t think that’s a red card for Foden, I really don’t.
“The players are all in the PFA [Professional Footballers’ Association], everyone’s in a union – you’ve got to try and look out for each other; you can’t be rolling around.”
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