Why is Bruno Fernandes available to play against Aston Villa? Man United captain set to feature in Premier League despite straight red card

10/02/2024 07:02 AM

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is available to play against Aston Villa on Sunday despite being sent off last weekend.

The Red Devils star was given his marching orders in the 42nd minute during the dismal 3-0 defeat to Spurs at Old Trafford.

Fernandes attempted to stop James Maddison from running past him, where he proceeded to slip in his tackle.

It led to the Portugal international catching the ex-Leicester playmaker high up the leg.

Though replays showed it wasn’t a studs-up challenge, with Fernandes instead catching him with the back of his ankle.

Nevertheless, referee Chris Kavanagh wasted no time in brandishing him a straight red card, with Spurs going on to score two second half goals as they capitalised on having an extra man.

So, he was expected to miss the next three Man United games through suspension, but this is now not the case…

Why is Fernandes allowed to play against Aston Villa?

Fernandes can play against Aston Villa after the Premier League rescinded his red card.

Following his sending off last week, he insisted it was never a red card offence and that resulted in Man United lodging an appeal.

The Red Devils then stated on Tuesday evening that they had won their claim of wrongful dismissal.

It means that Fernandes will be available for the away clash at Villa on Sunday, along with the matches against Brentford and West Ham following the international break.

A statement read: “Bruno Fernandes will be available for Manchester United's next three games following a successful claim of wrongful dismissal.

“The midfielder was sent off for serious foul play during the Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, 29 September.

“Fernandes was set to miss our league fixtures against Aston Villa, Brentford and West Ham, but will now be available for selection following the successful appeal.”

Fernandes’ red card was the first of his United career on what was his 242nd appearance.

And in a live TV interview on Sky Sports immediately after United’s defeat, he raged that Kavanagh made the wrong decision, while also stating Maddison agreed with him.

He said: “Never a red card – that is my view. I agree that it is a foul.

“The referee tried to tell me that as he saw it was a clear contact with the studs, no.

“I didn’t touch him with the studs or even the foot, it was my ankle. It is a clear foul.

“If he wants to give me a yellow because they are going to go on a counter then I agree. But more than that, no. It is not the case.”

He added: “Even James Maddison when he gets up he said it's not a red card. If this is a red card we have to look at many other incidents.

“I don't understand why VAR doesn't call him [referee] to the screen.

“The red card makes it worse. I have to appreciate all the effort my team-mates have done to try and return to the game, but it wasn’t possible.

“They showed great effort and character and I was happy for that.”

In the end, it seems his views on the red card were correct, with the Premier League admitting their fault for the incident.

And he’ll be straight back into top-flight action this weekend.