Foden taunts Man Utd fans as he leaves Old Trafford after Manchester derby sending off

Phil Foden was spotted mocking Manchester United fans following their defeat in the Manchester derby despite his sending off. The Manchester City star had a difficult afternoon after being dismissed for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes just 23 minutes in at Old Trafford.

Referee Michael Oliver made the decision on the pitch, with VAR concurring with his call. Despite being down to 10 men for the majority of the game, City still managed to secure victory, Erling Haaland’s second-half goal proving enough, albeit even that was covered in controversy with Enzo Fernandez clearly offside in the build-up, something that Pro Ref have apologised for.

Away from that, Foden made sure he had the last laugh after the game. He was spotted showing a 1-0 gesture with his hands to United fans as he left Old Trafford.

Foden, 26, now looks likely to miss the next three domestic games after being dismissed for violent conduct. That will see him absent for City’s Carabao Cup clash with Norwich midweek, as well as league games against Sunderland and Liverpool.

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Giving his thoughts on Foden’s dismissal, City boss Enzo Maresca said that he agreed with the decision to send his forward off, albeit Fernandes should also have been dismissed.

"Phil's card is a red card, but I also think the same action is a red card by Bruno, [Fernandes]," Maresca said "I think reviewing the action, and I reviewed it immediately, it is a clear red card for Phil because it is a reaction.

"But you can also see Bruno [foul Foden]. But anyway, it is what it is. Red card, but we won. Last year I was here with Chelsea and we had red card after three minutes, so next time I was hoping for a different story.”

That was an assessment that United icon Gary Neville agreed with. Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “It’s a painful moment for Foden to have to make that run down the long tunnel.

“I’m surprised Fernandes didn’t get a yellow for the kick on the floor, he’s certainly pulled a reaction out of Foden which will help his team-mates. I thought it was a yellow card for Bruno Fernandes and I’d like it not to have been a red for Phil Foden.

“But I completely understand why it was because when you’ve kicked someone in the stomach, you’re more often than not done.”

Man City sit second in the Premier League as one of two teams alongside Arsenal with perfect records so far. United in the meantime are 13th in the early table, having won just one of their opening four games under Michael Carrick.