Why Bruno Fernandes will not miss Liverpool game after red card ban confusion

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was shown a red card during their defeat to Wolves

19:30, 26 Dec 2024Updated 20:32, 26 Dec 2024

Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United reacts after being shown red card during the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers(Image: Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes will be available for next month’s Premier League clash against Liverpool at Anfield after he was sent off in United’s defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Boxing Day.

Ruben Amorim’s side were beaten at Molineux as second half goals from Matheus Cunha and Hwang Hee-chan made the difference. The strikes came after United were reduced to 10 men as Fernandes was given his marching orders for a second yellow card.

A second bookable offence typically carries a one-match suspension, but confusion emerged as Thursday’s sending off was the second of the season in the league for the United captain, which under normal circumstances means a one-match ban is added on top of the suspension for the offence. Fernandes was first shown a red card during their 3-0 loss at home to Tottenham Hotspur back in September for a tackle on James Maddison.

United did successfully appeal that red card, and he avoided any suspension as it was deemed a wrongful dismissal. The FA’s initial guidance to the ECHO indicated Fernandes would serve a two-match ban following his sending off at Wolves, but they have now confirmed it will just be the one game.

That means Fernandes will be only be sidelined for United’s next game against Newcastle United at Old Trafford on December 30. He will then be available for selection again for the trip to Anfield on Sunday, January 5 as Arne Slot’s side hope to continue their charge towards this season’s Premier League title.

Liverpool’s first meeting with United this season ended in a comfortable 3-0 triumph at Old Trafford at the beginning of September, although Erik ten Hag was in charge of the Manchester club at the time. Luis Diaz scored a brace that day, while Mohamed Salah was also among the goals for the Reds.

Slot’s side currently lead the way at the top of the table with 12 wins from their first 16 league games. They have suffered just one defeat all season against Nottingham Forest at Anfield earlier in the campaign.