Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has reacted to Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes being sent off in the 2-0 defeat to Wolves on Thursday.
Bruno Fernandes picked up his first booking in the 18th minute of the Premier League clash after he brought down Wolves star Matheus Cunha.
Manchester United and Wolves went into the break with a 0-0 scoreline on the board before disaster hit Ruben Amorim’s men at the Molineux.
Fernandes received his second booking only two minutes in the second half after he put in a late – and reckless – challenge on Wolves full-back Nelson Semedo.
Referee Tony Harrington sent the 30-year-old United captain off and the Red Devils unravelled in the remainder of the second half.
Gallagher on Fernandes’ second booking
Matheus Cunha broke the deadlock after his corner kick flew over Andre Onana’s head and landed in the back of the Manchester United net in the 58th minute.
The 25-year-old Wolves star, who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford, then set up Hwang Hee-chan for his side’s second deep into injury time.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, Dermot Gallagher was asked for his stance on Bruno Fernandes’ two bookable offences from Thursday’s 2-0 result against Wolves.
He backed referee Tony Harrington’s decision to brandish a yellow for the first challenge and subsequent call to send Fernandes off in the second half.
“When you make a tackle like the first one, you’re always going to a get a yellow card,” Gallagher said.
“It’s a bog standard one. No attempt to play the ball. Tony Harrington did very well last night, he’s really growing in confidence.
“I don’t know why he makes the second tackle, it’s so far upfield. If you look at it close-up, it’s not a wise tackle and it’s a yellow card offence.
“Everybody is disappointed when you’re sent off, but it was one.”
Gallagher talks Fernandes’ third red card
United languish in 14th place in the Premier League table and Ruben Amorim’s side face two tough tests in the league next week.
The Red Devils will welcome Newcastle to Old Trafford on Monday before their Premier League showdown with Liverpool at Anfield on 5th January.
Fernandes had received three red cards in all competitions this season before his one against Tottenham in the 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford was rescinded.
Gallagher has said that the Portugal midfielder will only be banned for one Premier League match after a U-turn was made on his red against Spurs in September.
“He was on zero red cards because the Spurs one was expunged,” he said.
“The one in Europe doesn’t count so it’s one red card, so a one-match ban.”
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