‘It was never a red card’

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes says he should not have been sent off in the 3-0 loss to Tottenham on Sunday.

The midfielder was dismissed for a challenge on Spurs’ James Maddison, leaving them with an uphill battle at 2-0 down.

However, the Portuguese midfielder was adamant that the referee made the wrong decision.

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, he said: “I just wanted to come and talk [do the interview] and be myself because my teammates deserve that for what they have done in the game playing with one man less.

“Particularly as I was the man sent off, the one that let them down.

“The team showed a lot of character, a lot of resilience, a lot of fight. They tried. It wasn’t easy.

“It’s NEVER a red card!” ❌

Bruno Fernandes reacts to being sent off vs Tottenham! 🟥 pic.twitter.com/zAnxvIhTGE

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

“Never a red card, that is my view.

“I agree that it is a foul but it is never a red. The referee tried to tell me that as he saw it, it was clear contact with the studs, but no.

“I didn’t touch him with the studs or even the foot, it was my ankle. It is a clear foul.

“If he wants to give me a yellow because they are going to go on a counter, then I agree. But more than that, no. It is not the case.”

Fernandes admitted that United had already been finding it difficult against Tottenham’s high-pressing tactics.

But he was also proud of the shift put in by his team-mates left on the pitch on what was a very difficult afternoon for Erik ten Hag’s men.

“Are the players not buying into what Erik ten Hag is telling them to do or do they not believe in it?” 🤔@GNev2 says the Manchester United players’ application to applying Ten Hag’s plans is ‘abysmal’ 😳 pic.twitter.com/rIdivWNDOy

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

He added: “Yes, I think we struggled a bit. We tried to force it a little bit, to rush it and go too quick.

“When they have the high line we made mistakes on the ball, and then we got punished, and it didn’t go the way we wanted from there.”

“Then the red card makes it worse. I have to appreciate all the effort my teammates have done to try and return to the game, but it wasn’t possible.

“They showed great effort and character, and I was happy for that.”