Paul Scholes slams referee for “ridiculous” Bruno Fernandes yellow card in Manchester United vs Sevilla
Manchester United icon Paul Scholes has slammed the referee for showing Bruno Fernandes a yellow card for a handball against Sevilla.
The Portugal international was booked late in the first half as Nemanja Gudelj’s shot hit him from close range. There was nothing the midfielder could have done to get out of the way. However, Felix Zwayer felt the 28-year-old’s actions warranted a warning.
As a result, Fernandes will now miss the second leg versus the La Liga outfit. Speaking on BT Sport (h/t Metro), Scholes, who spent his entire career at the Old Trafford side, criticised the official for the “ridiculous” decision.
“Ridiculous… I thought the referee was poor all night. Any sign of a foul, he couldn’t wait to get his yellow card out. Just give the free-kick. It’s not an intentional handball. He’s stood a yard away from him.”
Sevilla visited Old Trafford on Thursday (13 April) in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals. The Red Devils got off to a quick start, with Marcel Sabitzer scoring a brace in the first 20 minutes.
Fernandes set up the Austrian for his first goal. The Portuguese played in a deeper position, as he has done in the last few matches, with the Bayern Munich loanee being deployed in the number 10 role.
The 28-year-old had a decent game overall and was substituted at the hour mark. Erik ten Hag has tinkered with the former Sporting CP star’s position a lot in the current campaign. The playmaker has done well almost everywhere.
Fernandes has played on the right and left wing at times during the season. In recent weeks, the gaffer has tried the Portuguese in the double pivot and he has put in a decent showing.
The playmaker has been a key player for Ten Hag at United. In the absence of Harry Maguire, the 28-year-old has been tasked with the responsibility of leading the team onto the pitch.
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Therefore, Fernandes is evidently going to be sorely missed during our trip to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium. The two own goals at the end that earned Sevilla a 2-2 draw has made the reverse fixture even more tricky.
