BRUNO FERNANDES twice threw his boot to the ground in anger as he risked a FOURTH red card of the season.
The Manchester United captain, 30, started in midfield for his side in the FA Cup clash away at Arsenal – which they won on penalties, despite being reduced to ten men following Diogo Dalot’s red card.
With 37 minutes on the clock, Fernandes went down under a challenge from Gabriel Jesus on the edge of the Arsenal area.
It appeared as though the Gunners striker had clipped the Portuguese playmaker’s ankles.
However, Referee Andy Madley ignored his desperate pleas for a free-kick and allowed play to continue.
But Fernandes was apoplectic with rage the decision did not go his way.
Sat down on the turf, took the loosened red boot off his left foot and hurled it angrily in the direction of Madley who carried on following the action.
Then when there was a break in play, Fernandes continued his petulant rant with the official.
But as it appeared his complaints were falling on deaf ears, he again decided to launch the boot to the floor right in front of Madley.
And the referee was having none of it, immediately brandishing the yellow card for his obvious dissent.
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Although Fernandes could have been booked for his initial reaction, too, which was arguably worse – and could have meant two bookings in quick succession.
Fans watching the game immediately took to social media to react to Fernandes’ moments of boiling frustration.
One said: “That’s why Fernandes shouldn’t be captain, he’s a petulant p****! Don’t know how the ref has missed the foul in the first place though.”
Another wrote: “Ok it’s definitely a foul on Bruno Fernandes but he took his OWN boot off and threw it TWICE – ref could’ve double yellowed him.”
A third added: “Worst captain in the league.”
A fourth commented: “It is unacceptable for a captain to be showing petulance the way he does. Throwing your boot to the ground to show your frustration at the ref. Why? Does this too often.”
And a final user typed: “Horrible piece of work he is.”
The yellow card meant Fernandes had to walk a tightrope for the remainder of the FA Cup clash to avoid a fourth red card of the season.
Fernandes saw red against Tottenham and Porto within four days.
He then picked up two yellow cards to go for an early bath against Wolves on Boxing Day.
Man Utd ratings vs Arsenal as Maguire and Co dig deep to win after Dalot’s moment of madness
MANCHESTER UNITED produced a heroic effort to squeeze past Arsenal and into the FA Cup’s fourth round on penalties.
The Red Devils were forced to dig deep at the Emirates following Diogo Dalot’s 61st minute red card.
On a freezing cold afternoon in North London, SunSport’s Kealan Hughes rates and slates each United performer…
ALTAY BAYINDIR – 8
Poor punch up in the air which allowed the ball to fall nicely for Gabriel to finish.
Redeemed himself with a brilliant penalty save to keep the score level, before superbly denying Declan Rice twice.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 7
Was assured on and off the ball if unspectacular. Got his body on the line as the Gunners pushed for a winner.
MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 8
Solid in defence and kept the backline well organised. Produced the best tackle of the match on the goalline to deny Leandro Trossard a certain goal.
HARRY MAGUIRE – 8
Commanding in the air and made several key blocks but gave away the penalty which Arsenal missed to go in front.
Got away with an earlier error as he failed to clear – the ball landed at Kai Havertz’s feet but he somehow skewed wide with his effort.
LISANDRO MARTINEZ – 7
Had to be on high alert to deal with the movement of Arsenal forwards but it was a task he managed well.
DIOGO DALOT – 3
Booked for a mistimed lunge on Lewis-Skelly. He followed that up with another silly, late foul on Merino with the ball about to go out of play for his second yellow. Stupid red card.
MANUEL UGARTE – 7
A firefighter all across the pitch for his side, although spent most of the match in his own half given Arsenal’s dominance.
Was booked for one foul too many just before the hour mark and was lucky to escape a red card as he went head-to-head with Havertz after the penalty incident.
KOBBIE MAINOO – 6
Lively in the middle and kept a close eye on Jorginho. Looked sharp on the ball and showed some clever touches.
Should have done better to head clear before Gabriel’s equaliser.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 7
Always an outlet on the counter which was much needed for the Red Devils.
Made the most of a Gabriel error to burst in on goal and pass across to Fernandes to score.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 7
Was booked for throwing a trademark tantrum after claiming he was fouled on the edge of the box when lining up a shot.
Showed his class with a brilliant first-time finish which he bent around a defender into the far corner.
RASMUS HOJLUND – 3
Failed to provide the focal point that United badly needed, which meant almost every pass forward was dealt with by the Arsenal centre-halves. Was fortunate there was no VAR to take a look at his apparent elbow on William Saliba, which left the Arsenal star bloodied.
SUBSTITUTES
Amad (for Garnacho, 80mins) – 6
Lively on the counter too but just lacking a bit of quality – though was outnumbered every time he got the ball.
Joshua Zirkzee (for Hojlund, 80mins) – 6
Some very clever touches when he came on and provided a presence up front at a time United badly needed it.
Toby Collyer (for Mainoo, 80mins) – 5
Showed plenty of energy but was missing quality in some areas.
Tyrell Malacia (for Ugarte, extra-time) – 6
Stuck to his task well.
Leno Yoro (for Maguire, 104) – 6
Did his job well during the closing stages of the match. Converted his penalty in the shoot-out with aplomb.
And in doing so, Fernandes became the first United player to be sent off three times in one season for 16 years.
In 2008-09, Nemanja Vidic‘s three red cards including both home and away against rivals Liverpool in the Premier League.
Ironically, it was Fernandes who expertly fired his side in front on 52 minutes with a superb finish.
But less than ten minutes later, United were reduced to ten men when Fernandes’ compatriot Diogo Dalot slid into a tackle already on a yellow card.
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The full-back caught Mikel Merino and was shown a second caution to be sent for an early bath.
And just two minutes later, Gabriel equalised for Arsenal with a deflected strike.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
