Two MUTV pundits dropped their verdicts on Darwin Nunez’s challenge on Matthijs de Ligt in Manchester United’s 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
Ruben Amorim’s Red Devils side collected their first Premier League point of 2025 after a superb display against the league leaders away from home.
Manchester United played out a 0-0 scoreline in the first half before Lisandro Martinez broke the deadlock after the break with a stunning finish.
However, Liverpool rallied back through Cody Gakpo only seven minutes after United’s opener before Mohamed Salah converted from the spot-kick.
Amad Diallo then netted in the 80th minute to pull United level with a crucial equaliser and the Red Devils had to settle for a draw on Sunday evening.
United have not won a match since their 2-1 Premier League comeback win against defending champions Manchester City at the Etihad in December 2024.
Ruben Amorim’s men lost three Premier League matches in a row — and four across all competitions — ahead of their showdown with Liverpool.
MUTV pundits debate red card call for Nunez
Manchester United fans were left furious with referee Michael Oliver and the VAR after Darwin Nunez escaped a potential red card in the second half.
Darwin Nunez came off the bench after the break and replaced Luis Diaz, with the Liverpool star landing himself in hot water for his challenge on Matthijs de Ligt.
The 25-year-old Liverpool striker crashed into De Ligt with 15 minutes remaining in regular playing time after going back-first into the chest of the United defender.
De Ligt went down holding his face from the challenge and Michael Oliver brandished a yellow to the Reds star for the incident.
Nunez has been suspended for Liverpool’s Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest on the weekend, but the Uruguayan survived a potential red card.
VAR did not call for Oliver to review the incident on the pitchside monitor and Wes Brown and Dion Dublin were unsure if Nunez should have been dismissed.
Speaking on MUTV’s The Debate, Wes Brown said: “That’s dirty that. I would want to get up and get him back.
“If it’s vicious, then the ref’s got to look at it; VAR’s got to look at it. It depends if he meant it or not and I don’t know.”
Responding to the challenge, Dion Dublin added: “I’m torn on this one, yellow card at least. Red card might have been a little bit harsh, I’m not sure.”
Dermot Gallagher on red card debate for Nunez
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher felt that Michael Oliver made the right call and insisted that there were “factors” that stopped it from being a red card.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, he said: “If you watch Nunez, he never looks at the ball. He’s always looking at the player.
“But he catches him in the chest and he doesn’t come from a long distance. They are the factors that stop it from being a red card.”
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