Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes faced the ire of fans after receiving a red card during the team’s 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
The pivotal moment came just before half-time when Fernandes’ tackle on Spurs midfielder James Maddison caught the latter on the shin.
With United already trailing 1-0 from a Brennan Johnson goal, the dismissal left the team with a mountain to climb.
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After the match, Fernandes addressed the media and shared insights from his exchange with Maddison following the incident.
The Manchester United captain revealed that Maddison had expressed his belief that the challenge did not warrant a red card. “Maddison said it is a foul but it’s not a red card,” Fernandes recounted, emphasizing that he felt the decision was excessive.
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Reflecting on the ramifications of his actions, Fernandes acknowledged, “I let my team-mates down and I do appreciate everything they do on the pitch.” He praised his teammates for their efforts despite playing with one less man, highlighting their resilience in trying to respond to the setback.
“I think we struggled a bit and then the red card makes it worse,” he said. “The team showed a lot of character, a lot of resilience, a lot of fight. They tried. It wasn’t easy.”
Discussing the tackle itself, Fernandes maintained his stance that while it was a foul, it did not justify a red card. “I don’t go in with the studs; it’s a clear foul but never a red card. If this is a red card, we have to look at other incidents,” he argued.
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He added that he did not understand why VAR did not intervene to overturn the decision, stating, “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.”
The loss to Tottenham marks another low point in a challenging start to the season for United, leaving Erik Ten Hag under intense scrutiny.
Fernandes, aware of the mounting pressure, emphasized the need for improvement. “We find a lot of spaces but we could never connect. It wasn’t always like one touch more. We gave the ball away too many times for them to counter,” he noted.
With this defeat, the questions surrounding United’s tactics and their ability to rebound grow louder. Fernandes’ remarks reflect a combination of regret and a desire for clarity as the team seeks to regain its footing in the Premier League.