Jamie Redknapp delivers Bruno Fernandes red card verdict after Man United humiliation

Former Liverpool midfielder, Jamie Redknapp
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Jamie Redknapp has admitted he didn't think Bruno Fernandes should have been sent off during Manchester United's humiliating 3-0 defeat against Tottenham.

The United captain was shown a straight red card in the 42nd minute at Old Trafford for a late challenge on James Maddison. As the England international tried to dribble the ball through midfield, Fernandes appeared to slip before lunging in on the Tottenham midfielder, catching him with studs on the side of his left knee.

The Spurs players were furious with the tackle, and referee Chris Kavanagh handed Fernandes a straight red card. Explaining the decision on X, Premier League Match Centre said: "The referee issued a red card to Fernandes for a challenge on Maddison. The VAR checked and confirmed the referee's call of serious foul play."

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Despite this, ex-Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder Redknapp has criticised the decision to give Fernandes a red card and believes that a booking would have been sufficient.

He told Sky Sports: "He slips as he comes in to try and win the challenge. You can see that his feet go under him. It's petty and it's a bit petulant. That angle is quite damning... his feet go under him. I think it's a yellow card."

Meanwhile, Fernandes spoke to the media after the game and assessed whether the decision was the right one. The 30-year-old said: I don’t take him as everyone wants to see it. I don’t go in with the studs, I take him with my ankle, it’s a clear foul but never a red card.

"Even Maddison when he gets up, he said it was a foul but never a red card. You can see it’s never a red card and if it is, we have to look at many other incidents. I have many incidents against me and I’ve never seen it come so quick as a red card.

"The contact is not that strong. If he wants to give me a yellow because it’s a counter-attack, I agree and I don’t know why VAR doesn’t call the referee to the screen. For me, it’s not a good decision."

United lost the game 3-0 courtesy of goals from Brennan Johnson, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke. The defeat leaves Erik ten Hag's on seven points from their opening six Premier League matches.