FRED somehow escaped a straight red card after a headbutt on Leandro Paredes in the 3-1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain.
And Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted he may have blundered by not subbing midfielder Fred before he was eventually sent off in the second half.
Fred appeared to move his head into Leandro ParedesCredit: BT Sport
Paredes collapsed to the ground holding his headCredit: BT Sport
The Manchester United star sparked a melee as he left Paredes collapsed to the ground holding his face after 23 minutes at Old Trafford.
With United already trailing to Neymar’s opener, replays clearly showed Fred moved his head into the direction of the opponent.
Paredes’ PSG team-mates protested for a straight red card as VAR reviewed the incident.
The referee initially comically ran to the wrong side of the pitch to check the monitor before realising his error.
And, after finally reviewing the incident, he sparked further fury on the French bench after only showing Fred a yellow card.
BT Sport pundits, and Man Utd legends, Rio Ferdinand agreed Fred was “lucky” to remain on the pitch.
Speaking after full-time, United captain Harry Maguire admitted he too was baffled by the referee’s decision.
Fred should have gone – Halsey
By Mark Halsey
FRED was sent off for a second yellow card — but he should have been dismissed much earlier.
I was amazed Italian referee Daniele Orsato did not red card the Manchester United midfielder for violent conduct.
He clearly headbutted Leandro Paredes behind Orsato’s back in the first half.
VAR were correct to recommend a review of the incident — but I was astounded when Orsato issued a yellow card after viewing the monitor.
Fred’s second caution appeared to be harsh but he was always running the risk after having other challenges in the game go unpunished.
PSG players were angry Fred escaped a red cardCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Paredes later lunged into Fred to get his revenge as tempers flaredCredit: AFP or licensors
He said: “It’s strange how he gave a yellow card, it’s either a red card or nothing.”
Fred was involved in further incidents with Paredes as tempers flared after Marcus Rashford drew United level before the break.
But Solskjaer failed to take Fred off despite the distinct feeling the Brazilian was on borrowed time.
And he eventually saw red late on just seconds after Marquinhos had poked the French giants back ahead in front.
His second yellow for a foul on Ander Herrera was harsh and Solskjaer said: “Fred played really disciplined second half and when he makes a tackle like this you can’t really fault the boy.
“We spoke at half time and just said ‘be sensible’ and he was, he played well.
“When the decision the ref made you maybe look back and say you should have – but there was no reason from his performance to take him off.”
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand admitted he found it hard to understand why Fred was not subbed earlier.
He said: “Van de Beek was ready and we were sitting here and wondering was he waiting for the next time the ball goes out to take off Fred.
“He looked like someone who had lost control.
“In positions like that where you are thinking, ‘The referee had given him one or two free chances, calm yourself down’. But some players can’t.”
Neymar made it safe for last season’s defeated finalists to leave United needing to avoid defeat against RB Leipzig on Tuesday to clinch a place in the last 16.
Fred was eventually shown a second yellow card in the second halfCredit: Rex Features
Solskjaer said: “I’m very pleased with performance apart from the fact they were more clinical.
“We need to be clinical in these type of games. Big games most of the time are decided by fine margins and this time they were against us.
“We know the destiny is in our own hands, we know that we play against a good team Leipzig, who were in the semi final last year, but we are developing into a better team as well.”
⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford
Infuriated Neymar squares up to McTominay at half time during Man Utd vs PSG
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
