Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterThere wasn't a player at Old Trafford on Sunday with a more acute sense of the Manchester derby than Phil Foden.The 26-year-old has been on the books at Manchester City for 18 years. He's from Stockport and he was light blue through and through by the time he joined the club's junior ranks.Foden gets it. But, while clashing with the captain of Manchester United at Old Trafford might carry a certain cultural cache in the locality, getting sent off for it in the first half of a tight derby match isn't the smartest move.Foden's derby red card could cost him in the long runBruno Fernandes might have been credited with getting the attacking midfielder dismissed on Sunday, but the United skipper made a stupid decision of his own. In the age of VAR and there was plenty of that about at Old Trafford getting away with kicking Foden was a matter of luck rather than skill.In the end, Foden can count himself on the winning side even in his absence. Man City went on to win 1-0 in highly contentious circumstances and Fernandes lost a Manchester derby in the Premier League for the seventh time. You may like How Manchester City adapted tactically after Phil Fodens red card against Manchester United We were all wrong about Phil Foden - and it's about time we reassessed who he is HENRY WINTER: Michael Carrick is hurting at Manchester United but Pro Ref error is only partly to blame Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 ListMan City manager Enzo Maresca suffered no ill effects from Foden's red card and will have little problem navigating his impending three-match ban, but the possible consequences for Foden himself are just beginning.Observing his naive reaction to Fernandes' kick was England manager Thomas Tuchel, who has been in charge since the start of 2025 but has given Foden just six of his 49 senior caps.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Tuchel clearly doesn't need an excuse to leave Foden out of his England plans but the task of convincing him can only be made harder by a close-up view of this understandable but unhelpful lapse of discipline in a big game.Foden missed out on the World Cup squad earlier this year and competition in his position is as fierce as ever.Arsenal trio Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke all went to the World Cup ahead of him. Marcus Rashford made the cut; Cole Palmer did not. Anthony Gordon, Morgan Rogers and Jude Bellingham all featured heavily. What to read next HENRY WINTER: Jude Bellingham is England's next captain and he proved it in 20 minutes - because of course he did Hes failed, and hes failed in the same way as before Former England international calls for Thomas Tuchel sacking with Gareth Southgate nod Have Thomas Tuchel and Jude Bellingham fallen out after England criticism? The problem for Foden isn't so much that he's on the outside and missed a great opportunity to grab Tuchel's attention as the fact that the players on the inside are raising the standard while he's chasing it.Gordon has made a positive start at Barcelona and Rogers appears to be settling nicely after his move from Aston Villa to Chelsea.Unfortunately for Foden, they're the players in possession of the England shirts most likely to come his way, while the next group includes Saka as a proven alternative and a selection of attacking players who perform a variety of roles Foden has yet to deliver upon consistently at international level.In that scenario, the Man City man needs to seize his chances to impress Tuchel and take steps in the right direction. Extra reasons for doubt will not do him any favours.TOPICSManchester CityEnglandPremier LeagueChris NeeChris is a Warwickshire-based freelance football writer specialising in West Midlands football, the Premier League, the EFL and the J.League. He is the author of the High Protein Beef Paste football newsletter and owner of Aston Villa Review. He supports Coventry Sphinx.
