Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has reacted to two key incidents involving Benjamin Sesko and Bruno Fernandes in Manchester United’s encounter against Liverpool.
Manchester United hosted Liverpool and the Red Devils came out on top of the Reds after a 3-2 win on Sunday, with Kobbie Mainoo netting the second-half winner.
The Red Devils had led the defending Premier League champions at the half-time whistle after Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko both netted against Liverpool.
However, second-half errors from both Senne Lammens and Amad Diallo allowed Liverpool to rally back in the Premier League clash at Old Trafford at the weekend.
After doing the DOUBLE over Liverpool for the first time in a decade, how confident are you United will do it again NEXT SEASON?
Dermot Gallagher on whether or not Bruno Fernandes should have been sent off in Man Utd’s win over Liverpool
Bruno Fernandes was booked late in the second half of Manchester United’s 3-2 victory over Liverpool after his challenge on Reds star Dominik Szoboszlai.
Premier League referee Darren England only brandished a yellow card for the Man Utd captain, but Liverpool felt that Bruno Fernandes should have been sent off.
Michael Carrick made the call to withdraw Fernandes in the dying stages of the match and brought Leny Yoro on for the 31-year-old Portugal midfielder.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, Dermot Gallagher said Darren England made the right call not to show Fernandes a red card for the Dominik Szoboszlai incident.
“I think the yellow card was right, he is low and doesn’t come from a great distance, so he doesn’t gather the speed,” he explained.
“It’s a reckless challenge, but it is low and doesn’t go above the boot. Once you do that, you’re in trouble.
“Most tackles, for a split second, you are off the ground. The difference is when someone is throwing themselves in the air and have no control of their body.”
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Dermot Gallagher’s stance on the controversy around Man Utd striker Benjamin Sesko against Liverpool
Benjamin Sesko netted after Freddie Woodman’s parried effort of Fernandes’ header landed on the Man Utd striker, who pushed the ball over the line against Liverpool.
VAR reviewed the incident and the ball brushed Sesko’s fingers before landing in the back of the net, but the decision was not overturned by referee England.
Speaking on the incident, Gallagher said: “Twenty-two minutes later, we get that angle. You can’t wait that long at the time. They thought it was inconclusive, but that angle tells a different story.
“You think, is it going to be a goal or is it not? Then we get that angle. When you watch it [in] real time, the closest person to it, which is Virgil van Dijk, he just thinks it’s a goal. He doesn’t react.
“You’re guessing. Has the ball hit his fingers? The referee is hamstrung as it is a law with zero tolerance, but people look at it and interpret [it] as they want.”
Man Utd have secured their return to the Champions League for the 2026-27 season after their Premier League win over Liverpool at Old Trafford.
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