Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher believes that Tony Harrington was right to award Bruno Fernandes two yellow cards, and subsequently send him off, in Manchester United's 2-0 Boxing Day defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The United captain received his first booking after bringing down Matheus Cunha in the first half. A second card was produced in the second 45 after going in late on fellow countryman Nelson Semedo.

It is his third dismissal of the season, also being sent off during the home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in September. The Portugal international went for an early bath in the Europa League draw at Porto.

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Gallagher, who refereed in the Premier League between 1992 and 2007, spoke on Sky Sports' Ref Watch programme about the decision. He agreed with the verdict and questioned why Fernandes made the challenges.

"I just think when you make a tackle like this, you're always going to get a yellow card," Gallagher said. "For me, it's just a bog standard yellow card. [Matheus Cunha] is going through and it stops a promising attack. [Fernandes] flicks him down from behind and doesn't make any attempt to play the ball.

"Again I don't think [Fernandes] has got to make this tackle. I don't know why he makes this tackle - it's so far up field. It's not a wise tackle, it's a [second] yellow card. He doesn't get the ball. "

Despite picking up a second red card in the Premier League this season, the 30-year-old will only miss one game for the club. This comes in Sunday's clash against Newcastle United at Old Trafford.

Gallagher explained why Fernandes only picks up a one-game ban. He said: "He's effectively on nought because the one against Tottenham was expunged.

"The one in Europe doesn't add up. That's his first red card in the Premier League for one match and two yellow cards."

United head coach Ruben Amorim said of the decision: "I am always frustrated with a red card, but it can happen. He wants to go to the ball, it’s not like he wants to stop a player with a yellow. He wants to go to the ball but the other guy touches the ball first, there is contact and that thing is tough on him also."