BREAKING NEWS: GOODNEWS for Manchester United Fans as Bruno Fernandes Red Card is Overturn after appeal with VAR.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes will not face a suspension after successfully appealing his red card from Sunday’s 3-0 loss to Tottenham. The 30-year-old midfielder had been sent off for a foul on Spurs’ James Maddison, an action that initially warranted a three-match ban for serious foul play. However, Manchester United argued the red card was unwarranted, and Fernandes is now cleared to participate in upcoming Premier League matches against Aston Villa, Brentford, and West Ham.
The red card incident occurred during the 42nd minute at Old Trafford when Fernandes, attempting to make a challenge, slipped and accidentally clipped Maddison’s shin with his leg. After the match, Fernandes maintained that while the incident warranted a foul, it did not deserve a red card. “Never a red card – that is my view,” Fernandes stated in an interview with BBC’s Match of the Day. He further explained, “The referee tried to say it was a clear contact with the studs. No. I didn’t touch him with the studs or even the foot; it was my ankle. It is a clear foul.” Fernandes added that he would have accepted a yellow card, but anything more was excessive.
Before the red card, Erik ten Hag’s side was trailing 1-0. Following Fernandes’ dismissal, United’s performance declined, and they conceded two more goals, marking their third Premier League defeat of the season. Despite this, Fernandes will now be available for their upcoming fixtures, starting with a Europa League clash against Porto before returning to Premier League action against Aston Villa.
From Manchester United’s perspective, the news of Fernandes’ overturned ban is a combination of relief and frustration for Ten Hag. Although Fernandes has struggled to find his best form this season, he remains a crucial player for United, both as a leader and creative force. The Dutch manager might wonder how the match against Tottenham could have unfolded if his captain had stayed on the pitch. Though Spurs were the superior team prior to Fernandes’ red card, they only led by one goal, a situation that could have been salvaged. However, the red card left United with 10 men, and they quickly conceded another goal at the start of the second half. From then on, United found themselves merely trying to stop Tottenham’s relentless attacks, ultimately suffering a heavy loss.
The overturning of Fernandes’ red card also raises questions about the officiating standards, particularly regarding the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL). The fact that both the match referee and the VAR made a decision that was later reversed will likely increase scrutiny on their decision-making processes.
Despite this positive outcome for Fernandes, Ten Hag remains under significant pressure. One of his former coaches, Benni McCarthy, has recently questioned the Dutchman’s approach. McCarthy, who served as a first-team coach under Ten Hag for two years, suggested that the United boss lacks the passion players need to see from their manager. Speaking to Portuguese outlet ZEROZERO, McCarthy commented, “In modern football, I believe that players want to see a bit more passion in their coach. They need to feel that the coach is with them and willing to fight alongside them.” While McCarthy acknowledged Ten Hag’s tactical acumen, he remarked that the Dutchman “lacks a bit of that fire.”
In addition, McCarthy also criticized the training habits of some Manchester United players during his time at the club. He praised Fernandes and fellow Portuguese teammate Diogo Dalot for their dedication, saying, “If some of the Manchester United players had what Bruno and Diogo have, it would have been easier to achieve good results.” According to McCarthy, not all players were giving their full effort in training, and this lack of consistency hindered the team’s progress. “Even in games, the data showed us that some players were at their peak performance and others a little below,” he added.
Last season, United managed to win the FA Cup under Ten Hag’s leadership, but their current position in the Premier League tells a different story. After six matches, they sit 13th in the table, adding to the mounting pressure on the manager to turn the season around.
