Why Bruno Fernandes will not miss Liverpool game after Man Utd two-game red card ban confusion
Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes will not miss next month's Premier League clash against Liverpool at Anfield after he was sent off in the 2-0 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Boxing Day.
Ruben Amorim's side suffered a second consecutive defeat in the space of a week after the 3-0 thumping against Bournemouth before Christmas. This time, it was Matheus Cunha and Hwang Hee-chan who put the nail in United's coffin.
Both goals came after club captain Fernandes was given his marching orders early in the second half for a second yellow card. The first was for a challenge on Cunha before the break, while the second was for a high challenge on Nelson Semedo.
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A second bookable offence typically carries a one-match suspension, but confusion emerged over the length of the ban as Thursday's sending off was the second of the season in the league for the United captain, which usually means a one-match ban is added on top of the suspension for the offence. His first red card came during the Red Devil's 3-0 loss at home to Tottenham Hotspur back in September, on that occasion for a tackle on James Maddison.
However, United did successfully appeal that red card, and he avoided any suspension as it was deemed a wrongful dismissal. The FA's guidance is that it will be a one-match ban will be served following Fernandes' sending off at Wolves.
That means the United midfielder will miss next week's visit of Newcastle United, but will be available for selection again for the trip to Anfield to take on league leaders Liverpool at the beginning of January. United's last meeting with Liverpool ended in a dismal 3-0 home defeat, although Erik ten Hag was in charge of the team at the time.
Liverpool are comfortably top of the Premier League after Chelsea's Boxing Day defeat to Fulham. They will be hopeful of extending their lead as they host Leicester City in the late kick off on Thursday.
