Explained: Why Bruno Fernandes is OUT of Man Utd's game against Liverpool for moment of absolute stupidity during Bournemouth game

The midfielder was shown a yellow card late in the game at Old Trafford on Saturday for complaining to the referee. The booking is his fifth in the league this season and means he will have to serve a one-match suspension, ruling him out of the trip to Anfield on December 17.

The loss of Fernandes will come as a big blow to Erik ten Hag's team as they gear up for a big game against a Liverpool side in fine form. The Anfield club have won their last four matches and are on a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions. United, meanwhile, were left humiliated on home soil with a 3-0 loss to Bournemouth on Saturday.

Fernandes has been a key figure for the Red Devils this season, with the captain having started every Premier League game this season, scoring five goals and setting up a further five across the English top-flight and the Champions League. Indeed, the Liverpool game will be the first league match the Portuguese won't have played in since November 2022, when he was absent for a 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa, again due to suspension.

Ten Hag will at least be able to call on Fernandes in his side's next game as they take on Bayern Munich in the Champions League before they face Liverpool. The Red Devils need to beat the German side to have any hope of getting into the next round of the European competition, and will be relying on a draw between Copenhagen and Galatasaray otherwise they will definitely be out.