Bruno Fernandes will be available for what could be a pivotal run of games over the coming weeks after the Manchester United captain’s three-game ban was overturned by the Football Association. Fernandes was sent off in the 42nd minute of his side’s 3-0 loss to Tottenham on Wednesday, referee Chris Kavanagh giving the midfielder a straight red card for what appeared to be a tackle on James Maddison.
Replays later suggested that Fernandes may have slipped before making contact high on his opponent’s left leg. The incident was monitored by the video assistant referees, who did not recommend that Kavanagh go to the touchline screens to re-evaluate the incident.
Fernandes would have missed Premier League games against Aston Villa, Brentford and West Ham, a string of matches that could be pivotal for Erik ten Hag, on whom the pressure is mounting with United 12th in the Premier League table. The manager almost lost his job last summer when minority owners INEOS and their new football executive spoke to a series of potential candidates, including the now unemployed Thomas Tuchel. Former England boss Gareth Southgate is also understood to have his admirers in the United hierarchy.
At the moment, the United job is Ten Hag’s to lose. Doing so would be easier without Fernandes, by far his side’s main assist provider under current management as well as their second highest scorer in the Premier League.
Speaking after Spurs’ defeat at Old Trafford, Fernandes insisted that even Maddison said it was not a red card challenge. “I don’t take him the way everyone wants to see it,” he said. “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 bad but never a red card. You can see it’s never a red card and if it is we have to look at a lot of other incidents. I have a lot of incidents against me and I . never saw it coming as quickly as a red card.”
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