Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Tue 20 January 2026 11:10, UK

Diogo Dalot’s unattractive challenge on Jeremy Doku in Saturday’s Manchester derby has been a source of great debate.

Man United beat Man City 2-0 at Old Trafford, after a hugely impressive performance in Michael Carrick‘s first game in charge since returning.

Bryan Mbeumo opened the scoring after the break, before Patrick Dorgu put the seal on an impressive derby day performance.

Much of the debate following the game has centred around the fact that Dalot was shown a yellow card for his high challenge on Doku, however.

Video assistant referee Craig Pawson was slammed for not recommending a review of Dalot’s challenge, which saw the right-back connect with his studs on the Man City winger’s knee.

Mark Halsey slams VAR expert verdict

Dalot‘s challenge had appeared fairly innocuous on first viewing, but replays told a different story. As Doku had flicked the ball away, the defender had raised his studs and connected with the winger’s knee.

Anthony Taylor instantly produced a yellow card, and the VAR did not take long to confirm his decision.

Luckily for Dalot, the connection between his studs and Doku’s leg appeared to be glancing, rather than planted.

That is likely what saved him, although many have questioned why the 26-year-old was not sent off for what was undoubtedly a dangerous challenge.

BBC Sport’s football issues correspondent, Dale Johnson, wrote on Monday that Taylor would have shown Dalot a red card in the Champions League but not the Premier League, due to differences in the interpretations of the rules.

Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey responded on social media, and wrote: “Absolute nonsense Dale, that is a red. VAR should have recommended a review”.

What Pep Guardiola said about Diogo Dalot controversy

Had Dalot been shown a red card, the game likely would have played out in a very different way.

However, Pep Guardiola will be more concerned about how his team played against ten men. The Citizens were battered from start to finish, and were ultimately flattered by a 2-0 score line.

The visitors would ultimately finish the game having taken just one shot on target, while their opponents enjoyed six big chances.

Speaking after the game, Guardiola said: “It’s a red card but it would be poor as a manager to analyse that to win or lose a game. I said to Michael and the players, and right now here, that they deserve it.

“A red card would definitely have changed it but it would not have made us grow up with new players and know exactly what we have to do. It is what it is.”

Guardiola will now hope his side bounce back against Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League on Tuesday, ahead of the visit of Wolves on Saturday.