Mario Melchiot claims Bruno Fernandes was ‘lucky’ to avoid a red card against Liverpool on Sunday.
Manchester United saw off Liverpool with a dramatic 4-3 win in what was an FA Cup classic at Old Trafford.
Amad Diallo proved to be an unlikely hero as the youngster came off the bench to net a last-minute winner in extra time.
The winger was instantly sent off after sending the United fan base into a frenzy due to removing his shirt, which ultimately led to a second bookable offence.
But Mario Melchiot believes Bruno Fernandes was ‘fortunate’ not to be sent off before Diallo’s dismissal.
Melchiot says Fernandes was ‘lucky’ against Liverpool
Speaking on ESPN FC, Melchiot claimed that Fernandes continued to confront the referee even while he was already on a yellow card.
“I feel like when you watch United, you guys highlighted it in the middle of the park, about Fernandes,” the pundit said.
“He was lucky he was still on the field because he was moaning so much I was worried he was going to get a second yellow card. Because he kept on going to the ref and his body language, I thought he was going to book him.
“He was lucky. He made a foul in the middle of the park and the ref didn’t give it, he was fortunate.”
There’s no doubting Fernandes’ quality and the United skipper has been one of Erik ten Hag’s standout players this season.
Indeed, off the back of Sunday’s result, Graeme Souness even labelled Fernandes as the only United player who would make Liverpool’s squad.
While that is certainly up for debate, there’s no doubt that the £47 million man was treading a fine line on Sunday.
We’ve seen plenty of players pick up bookings for confronting referees this season and it was slightly risky for the Portuguese star to be doing just that while already on a booking.
Nevertheless, the 29-year-old escaped any further punishment and once again put in an excellent shift in midfield.
The post ‘I was worried’: ESPN pundit claims £47m Man United player was lucky not to be sent off vs Liverpool appeared first on TBR Football.