Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes has slammed Chris Kavanagh's decision to send him off in the Red Devils' 3-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
The Red Devils captain picked up the first red card of his Man United career in his side's embarrassing defeat, being made to take the walk of shame for a high tackle on James Maddison.
Kavanagh did not hesitate to brandish the red card, but Fernandes's dismissal was shrouded in controversy, as the Portugal international evidently slipped before trying to bring Maddison down.
Fernandes stuck a leg out and caught Maddison on his leg, and while the contact was minimal, he swiped at the Tottenham man with his studs up and gave Kavanagh the decision to make.
Fernandes had previously gone 241 matches without picking up a red card in his Man United career, and the former Sporting Lisbon playmaker voluntarily spoke to the media after being sent for an early bath.
Fernandes: 'Maddison said it was not a red card'
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The 30-year-old admitted to Sky Sports News that he had let his teammates down, but he did not agree with Kavanagh's assessment that his challenge warranted a red card and claimed that Maddison himself was also surprised at the ruling.
"I don't take him as everyone wants to see it. I don't go in with the studs, I take him with my ankle, it's a clear foul but never a red card," Fernandes said.
"Even Maddison when he gets up, he said it was a foul but never a red card. You can see it's never a red card and if it is, we have to look at many other incidents.
"I have many incidents against me and I've never seen it come so quick as a red card. The contact is not that strong. If he wants to give me a yellow because it's a counter-attack, I agree and I don't know why VAR doesn't call the referee to the screen.
"For me, it's not a good decision. I let my teammates down with one man down. I do appreciate everything they did on the pitch, it was tough for them."
How many games will Fernandes miss after red card?
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Having been given a straight red card for serious foul play, Fernandes will miss Man United's next three domestic matches, starting with next weekend's trip to high-flying Aston Villa.
Following the international break, Fernandes will sit out the visit of Brentford to Old Trafford on October 19, before completing his ban against West Ham United at the London Stadium eight days later.
However, as Fernandes's suspension only applies to Premier League, EFL Cup and FA Cup games, he is fine to face Porto in the Europa League this Thursday and Fenerbahce on October 24.
Man United had already fallen behind to Brennan Johnson's early goal before Fernandes's red, which preceded two second-half efforts from Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke in front of the away end.
Following Sunday's chastening result, the Red Devils lie 12th in the Premier League table having won just two of their first six games of the 2024-25 season.
Ben Knapton
