Bruno Fernandes will be available for Manchester United’s next three Premier League games following a successful claim of wrongful dismissal against Tottenham.
Fernandes was shown a straight red card at the end of the first half of the 3-0 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday and United launched an appeal with the Football Association (FA). It was confirmed on Tuesday evening that the FA had overturned Fernandes’ red card and he will now be available to face Aston Villa, Brentford and West Ham in the Premier League.
United captain Fernandes appeared to slip while trying to track James Maddison’s run but referee Chris Kavanagh showed a red card and VAR stuck by his on-field decision.
After the game, Fernandes volunteered to speak to Sky Sports and he hit out at the decision to send him off. “I let my teammates down,” he said. “I do appreciate everything they did on the pitch and obviously it was tough for them. We didn’t start the game well with 11 vs 11.
“Then we got the situation with the red card and I think they did very well. We conceded another two goals and it was difficult to cover all the spaces, but I think there are many good things we can take away from this. The resilience of the team was there and I’m proud of the team.
“Obviously nobody likes to be sent off and it’s not a good feeling seeing my teammates running a lot and trying a lot to get a result because that’s what they were trying to do.
“We ended up conceding another two goals but they tried everything. Part of slipping and going in, I didn’t go into the tackle with studs and I take him with my ankle.
“It’s a clear foul but never a red card and that’s my feeling. He [Maddison] said it was a foul but never a red card. I think on the eyes of everyone you can see it’s never a red card.
“If this is a red card, we have to look at many other incidents and I see many incidents of Onana getting kicked and I never see it so quickly coming as a red card. It’s never a red card.”
Fernandes’ form has been questioned this season and there was a suggestion that he could benefit from a period out of action due to a suspension.
The 30-year-old is yet to score but has recorded four assists in all competitions.