Why Bruno Fernandes is not suspended for Liverpool vs Man Utd despite second red card of season
Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes will be available to face Liverpool next week despite receiving his second red card of the season during the Boxing Day defeat at Molineux.
The 30-year-old was shown a second yellow card in the early stages of the 2-0 loss against Wolverhampton Wanderers after an ill-advised challenge on Nelson Semedo.
That was his second red card of the Premier League season which would normally carry an additional one-match ban, meaning he should miss the next two matches against Newcastle United and Liverpool.
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Some reports had suggested this would carry a two-match but a spokesperson from the FA told Liverpool.com that, given Fernandes' first red card (shown against Tottenham Hotspur in September) was rescinded, he will only serve a one-game suspension.
A dismissal for two yellow cards carries a one-match ban, unlike straight red cards, which typically result in a three-game suspension.
Fernandes was sent off for a challenge on James Maddison in a 3-0 loss at Old Trafford, but the decision - which was also confirmed by VAR - was oddly overturned upon review. It is actually one of three red cards the United skipper has been shown this term, with Fernandes sent for an early bath in a 3-3 draw at Porto, just four days after the defeat against Tottenham.
The selection of his captain at Anfield will be a huge boost for Ruben Amorim, who again saw his side beaten on Boxing Day. Goals from Matheus Cunha and Hwang Hee-chan denied the Red Devils a late Christmas present.
It's a result that leaves United in 14th place as we near the halfway point of the season, with the team just seven points above the relegation zone. And a run of games against Newcastle, Liverpool and Arsenal is the last thing Amorim needs.
Asked about the red card after the game, the United manager told Amazon Prime: "I think he cannot go to the ball. He's trying to reach the ball and some guys are not even looking at the ball but I don't want to focus on that. I think the good thing is we were near the goal, even with 10 men. That is a good thing, but we lost.
"It's so tough to win games in this league with 11 men. With 10 men, it's more difficult. We have to focus on that."
Manuel Ugarte will also be suspended for the Newcastle game after picking up a fifth booking of the season at Molineux.