‘Lucky to be on the pitch’ – Man Utd star Bruno Fernandes escapes red card for horror lunge on Real Betis keeper
BRUNO FERNANDES escaped a red card despite a horror lunge on ex-Manchester City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.
The Manchester United playmaker – who kept the captain’s armband after his Liverpool nightmare – flew in on the Real Betis goalkeeper at Old Trafford midway through the second half.
The Portuguese star was putting pressure on the veteran stopper, 39, but jumped in with both feet off the ground.
He appeared to pull out of the challenge slightly but still caught Bravo heavily on the shin.
As the Chilean rolled around in pain, the referee immediately brandished a yellow card to diffuse the situation – but many felt it should have been red.
One fan said: “Red card all day long. Left the ground with his foot up and caught him on the shin. Another mockery for VAR.”
And another wrote: “Red card all day long but because it’s Bruno he gets away with it.”
And a third added: “Bruno is a very very lucky boy!”
But others were not convinced and felt he had every right to go for the ball.
Fernandes was no doubt saved by catching the goalkeeper with the side of his boot – rather than his studs, which could have caused serious damage.
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Robbie Savage added on BT Sport commentary: “I just think because his foot was open that’s why VAR haven’t given the red card.”
It was a case of rubbing salt into the wound for Bravo, who had earlier been beaten by a Fernandes header.
That made it 3-1 to United on the night after goals from Marcus Rashford and Antony either side of Ayoze Perez’s leveller.
Wout Weghorst added a fourth, bundling home a rebound after Bravo parried Scott McTominay’s effort.