Mike Dean Issues Damning Verdict on Diogo Dalot Challenge vs Man City

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean has offered his thoughts on whether Manchester United right-back Diogo Dalot should have been sent off for a challenge on Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku during Saturday’s Manchester derby.

Michael Carrick took charge of United against Pep Guardiola’s City at Old Trafford on Saturday (January 17), and it didn’t take long for the game to feel like an old-fashioned derby with several strong challenges put in during the first half.

Just 10 minutes into the Premier League clash, Dalot lunged at Doku and caught him high on his right leg before the Belgian rolled around in pain.

Dalot may have feared a red card was about to be shown, but Anthony Taylor brandished a yellow card to the relief of the United faithful gathered inside Old Trafford.

The challenge was checked by VAR, but the decision remained the same.

"That's not a glacing blow, that's a punch to the jaw!"

The panel are in agreement that Diogo Dalot should have seen red for this challenge on Jérémy Doku 😬👀 pic.twitter.com/vJUuqoJ19c

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 17, 2026

On commentary, former United right-back-turned-pundit Gary Neville described the challenge as “not good”, “high” and “late”, with several fans also questioning why a red card was not given.

Shortly after the incident, the Premier League posted an explanation to its Match Centre via X.

“The referee’s call of yellow card to Dalot for a reckless challenge was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the contact deemed to be glancing and not with excessive force,” the post read.

However, ex-Premier League referee Dean explained how he still felt the challenge warranted a red card while speaking on Sky Sports during the game.

“It’s been cleared by Craig Pawson [on VAR],” Dean said.

“But for me, that’s just 100 per cent a red card. There’s not a lot of force in it, [but] it’s too high.

“The knee’s buckled back. For me, that’s a red card. That’s a red card all day.”

Sky Sports’ panel of pundits unanimously agreed with Dean as Daniel Sturridge claimed, “That’s a red card that,” with Micah Richards questioning the decision by asking, “What more do you want for a red card?”

Roy Keane also chipped in and said: “Listen, I've been down this road before: I've given out some heavy tackles and been on the receiving end of a few. To me? I'm no expert on red cards, but... I think it's a red."