Ex-PGMOL chief reveals if Bruno Fernandes should have been given red card vs Man City after 'speaking to colleagues'

Bruno Fernandes should have joined Phil Foden in the referee's notebook after the Manchester City star was sent off at Old Trafford.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Manchester United captain also deserved to be sanctioned.

Michael Oliver did not hesitate when showing Foden a red card, and rightly so, after the 26-year-old kicked out at his opponent in the 23rd minute.

However, replays showed a clear kick from the Man United star, which sparked the global incident on Sunday, 13 September.

Ultimately, the Citizens still managed to secure all three points, but that was thanks to Erling Haaland's goal, which has caused a controversial storm of its own.

The Manchester derby, other than the red card, was rather tame compared to historic games, but it could be argued that both sides deserved to go down to 10 men.

Bruno Fernandes should have been cautioned vs Man City

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett explained that, while Fernandes could have seen red, a yellow card would have been far more appropriate.

"I think this is an interesting one. The minimum that the Man United player should have received is a yellow card because his actions was reckless," he said.

"But it was a kick. So I'm actually saying he should have received a sanction. I've already spoken to one or two colleagues who believe that he should have been sent off.

"But the thing that persuades me towards yellow and against red is I don't think there was any excessive force and I generally don't think there was malice in it.

"But that's how I'm reading it, and that's me as an individual. But certainly not getting a yellow was an error by the referee."

Phil Foden gets his own back outside Old Trafford

Understandably, Foden was distraught when the red card was produced at Old Trafford, but he ended up on the winning side eventually.

Both Wayne Rooney and Roy Keane were baffled by the decision, but the overwhelming consensus that the Man City star had no excuses.

Foden clearly enjoyed watching his teammates claim the victory, though, and took his opportunity to wind up the Man United fans outside the stadium.

The academy graduate greeted shouts from opposition fans by signalling the score with his fingers, winding them up even further after full-time.