Manchester United: Could Bruno Fernandes face retrospective action for Phil Foden kick in derby?

Tempers flared in controversial Manchester derby

Manchester United fans will be sweating over their captain Bruno Fernandes after he was caught amidst the chaos during the Manchester derby.

Fernandes and Foden were caught in a first-half scuffle tight to the left touchline, where the ball ran out of play, and Foden was left in a heap on the ground.

Fernandes, the United captain, seemed to kick the City forward, who then reacted with his own double-leg kick to Fernandes’ stomach, prompting referee Michael Oliver to send the Englishman off in the 23rd minute.

Enzo Maresca and City fans alike were bewildered by the decision, and Fernandes was fortunate to go without punishment, even escaping a yellow card for his part in the coming-together.

Red card offence: Phil Foden and Bruno Fernandes

Getty

Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane, the former United midfielder, admitted that the Red Devils’ skipper was fortunate to get away without a card.

"I'm guessing it's classed as violent conduct, but to me Bruno's the one who's violent here,” he said.

“Did the player give the referee a chance [to send him off]? Foden's a bit daft here, but so is Bruno.

"If Bruno got sent off for that and nothing happened with Foden then we'd be saying, 'Bruno was a bit daft, a bit silly'.

“People say there's tension and it's a big game, but you've got to look out for your team-mates and the opposition players as well.

"Foden, I don't think it's a red card."

Could Fernandes be suspended?

It’s unlikely.

While players can face retrospective action after games’ conclusions, governing bodies and panels’ reviews are often saved for incidents that the officials did not see.

Seeing as Fernandes’ kick on Foden was part of the same sequence that saw VAR check the initial red card, the Football Association cannot step in and look to re-referee the scenario or hand the United No8 a punishment.