In a recent turn of events, Manchester United’s captain, Bruno Fernandes, successfully sidestepped a suspension after the club appealed his red card from Sunday’s 0-3 loss to Tottenham Hotspur. The 30-year-old midfielder received a straight red for a foul on Spurs’ James Maddison, which could have led to a tough three-match ban for serious foul play.

Manchester United made a strong case, arguing that the red card was unwarranted, ultimately ensuring that Fernandes can participate in the upcoming Premier League matches against Aston Villa, Brentford, and West Ham. At the moment of his dismissal, United was trailing 1-0, going on to record their third league defeat of the season.

The incident occurred in the 42nd minute at Old Trafford when Fernandes slipped and inadvertently hit Maddison with his ankle as the Spurs player maneuvered past him. In a post-match interview with BBC Match of the Day, Fernandes expressed his frustration, stating, “Never a red card – that is my view. I agree that it is a foul. The referee argued that he saw clear contact with the studs. No, I didn’t touch him with the studs or even my foot; it was my ankle. It’s a clear foul. If he wants to give me a yellow because they are about to go on a counter, then I agree. But more than that, no. That’s not the case.”

Looking ahead, United’s next challenge is a Europa League match against Porto on Thursday, followed by a return to league action against Aston Villa on Sunday. This situation has left manager Erik ten Hag with a mix of relief and frustration. Despite Fernandes not having found his best form this season, he remains a crucial figure for the team—a potential creative force and essential leader for a squad in search of both.

Ten Hag may be left reflecting on how the match might have played out had his captain stayed on the field. Up until Fernandes’ dismissal, Tottenham had clearly dominated the match but only held a one-goal lead, leaving a glimmer of hope for a potential comeback. However, playing with ten men after the dismissal led to an early second-half goal against United, and they struggled to contain Spurs’ relentless pressure, resulting in a disappointing defeat that has put Ten Hag in a challenging position.