Manchester United: Premier League great slams 'pathetic' Bruno Fernandes over Phil Foden red card

Foden lashed out at the Manchester United star midway through the first half at Old Trafford on Sunday to leave City with 10 men for the vast majority of the game, albeit only after he appeared to have been kicked himself while on the ground.

Referee Michael Oliver’s decision was to produce a red card for Foden but Fernandes received no punishment for his role in the incident – something Shearer felt was wrong.

Speaking on The Rest Is Football, Shearer said: “I thought 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 did then both get red cards. So, for me, either both are red or neither of them are.”

Scuffle: Bruno Fernandes and Phil Foden

AFP/Getty

The league’s all-time record goalscorer added: “He’s kicked out, so he’s stupid, OK? But Bruno Fernandes has done the same thing so for me, without doubt, they both should’ve been a red card if Michael Oliver thinks Phil Foden’s is a red card.”

While City were left with a numerical disadvantage, their remaining players stood up to the challenge and managed to win the game 1-0 thanks to a controversial goal from Erling Haaland.

The Norwegian netted his sixth goal of the season to preserve City’s 100 per cent Premier League record but only after Enzo Fernandez had attempted to play the ball from an offside position.

While the goal was ultimately awarded after a VAR check, it took the officiating body, Pro Ref, less than three hours after the final whistle to admit that the decision was incorrect and that the goal should have been disallowed.