Bruno Fernandes red card as Neville savages ‘disgrace’

Manchester United’s hopes of turning the scoreline around after falling behind at home to Tottenham were damaged by a Bruno Fernandes red card in the 42nd minute of their Premier League game on Sunday

Playmaker Fernandes was shown a straight red card for a knee-high challenge on fellow midfielder James Maddison, deepening the gloom around Old Trafford after Brennan Johnson had put Spurs ahead with three minutes played.

“I think he slips just before the tackle but he’s not going to get away with it,” former United captain Gary Neville told Sky Sports. “That sums up Manchester United in the first half.

“They have been an absolute disgrace. It’s one of the worst performances I have seen under [manager Erik] ten Hag – and that is saying something. It is really bad.”

A straight red for Bruno Fernandes and Manchester United are down to 10! 🟥 pic.twitter.com/44Z7OMPrNI

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 29, 2024

Bruno Fernandes sent off

Fernandes had never been sent off for the club before and became the fourth United captain to be sent off in a Premier League game at Old Trafford.

Wayne Rooney was their last man in the armband to head back down the tunnel on home soil, receiving his marching orders against West Ham 10 years earlier.

United, who had drawn their previous two games at Crystal Palace and at home to FC Twente, made a wretched start, Tottenham having all of the first three attempts between the teams.

What do you make of Bruno Fernandes’ red card? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/5WBPCiVLPX

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 29, 2024

Johnson goal vs United

Johnson scored in a fourth consecutive game from one of those chances, finding himself unmarked at the far post to sweep in following a dazzling run by Micky van de Ven.

A £47.5 million signing from Forest in September 2023, Johnson almost had a second less than 20 minutes later when his diagonal shot from inside the penalty area on the right came off the foot of the far post.

Spurs were without inspirational forward Son Heung-min through injury. “Many United fans, including myself, thought this could be the day,” rued Neville. “No Son for Spurs. It’s been as bad as it gets. No urgency, no life in them.”

“No, he slips”
“I don’t think it’s serious foul play or it’s reckless”

The Super Sunday panel don’t agree with Bruno Fernandes’ red card ❌ pic.twitter.com/Ec9pL5GAZi

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 29, 2024

United vs Tottenham

Injury-prone Mason Mount came on for a rare United appearance in Fernandes’ place, swiftly collecting a booking during a half in which the hosts had less than 37% of possession.

United will be six points behind the top five and four above the bottom three if they suffer a third defeat from their opening six games. Victory would lift either side to eighth, five points behind leaders Manchester City.