Erik ten Hag has received a welcome boost after Bruno Fernandes’s red card in Manchester United’s 3-0 loss to Tottenham on Sunday was deemed by the Football Association to be a wrongful dismissal. It means the captain’s three-game ban has been reversed.
With United in 13th following the weekend humiliation, and Ten Hag’s job in the balance due to United’s poor start to the season, Fernandes had been set to miss Sunday’s trip to Aston Villa, as well as games against Brentford and West Ham. He can now feature in all of those fixtures after United decided to appeal the decision by the referee Chris Kavanagh to send off the midfielder just before half-time at Old Trafford for his seemingly reckless challenge on James Maddison as the hosts trailed 1-0. Replays clearly showed Fernandes had slipped as he looked to close down Maddison and that this had a material impact on his subsequent challenge, which was also little more than a light clip, making it somewhat baffling that VAR did not overturn the decision at the time.
“Bruno Fernandes will be available for Manchester United’s next three games following a successful claim of wrongful dismissal,” read a United statement. “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.”
Sunday’s visit to Villa may prove pivotal in regards to Ten Hag’s long-term future at United. The under-fire Dutchman realistically needs to oversee a win against Unai Emery’s fifth-place side as well as in Thursday’s Europa League tie against Porto to still be in his post following the subsequent international break.
