Former Premier League striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has accused Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes of cheating, claiming the midfielder provoked Manchester City's Phil Foden into a red card during the recent Manchester Derby.
The incident occurred in the 23rd minute of City's 1-0 victory when Foden was dismissed for violent conduct after kicking out at Fernandes. Reports suggest the confrontation began when Fernandes appeared to kick Foden while the City player was on the ground, leading to Foden's retaliatory kick.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Agbonlahor didn't hold back, stating, "Bruno Fernandes is a cheat. Maybe the goal (disallowed) is the karma you get for the red card!" While Foden's reaction was clearly out of line, Agbonlahor implies Fernandes' actions were a deliberate provocation.
Manchester United has had a rocky start to their Premier League campaign, failing to build on last season's progress under Michael Carrick. The team's performance, including losing their opening match, highlights a need for increased quality to compete with top clubs.
The controversy surrounding the red card is a significant talking point, overshadowing City's narrow win. While the referee's decision, confirmed by VAR, was for Foden's violent conduct, the debate over Fernandes' role in initiating the incident continues.
