Bruno Fernandes insists late tackle on James Maddison was 'never a red card' as Man Utd captain claims Tottenham star agreed referee Chris Kavanagh's decision was wrong

The Red Devils talisman was given his marching orders just minutes before the half-time whistle for a reckless lunge on Maddison in the middle of the park. Referee Chris Kavanagh swiftly pulled out a red card and replays showed that Fernandes caught the Spurs midfielder with his high tackle, albeit after losing his footing. The captain's sending-off proved to be detrimental as a 10-man United went down 3-0 against Tottenham Hotspur at home.

After the humiliating defeat at Old Trafford, the Red Devils skipper came out to insist that Kavanagh's decision to send him off was completely wrong. He also claimed that even Maddison had agreed that the red card was too harsh a decision.

Speaking on BBC Match of the Day, the 30-year-old said: "I just wanted to come and talk [do the interview] and be myself because my team-mates deserve that for what they have done in the game playing with one man less. Particularly as I was the man sent off, the one that let them down. The team showed a lot of character, a lot of resilience, a lot of fight. They tried. It wasn't easy."

Fernandes added on his red card to Sky Sports: "I'm slipping. I don't take him as everyone wants to see it. I don't take him with my studs, I take him with my ankle. It's a clear foul but never a red card. That's my feeling and even Maddison when he gets up... he just said it's a foul but it's never a red card, that's what he said. In the eyes of everyone, you can see it's never a red card. If this is a red card, we have to look at many other incidents. I've had many incidents when I get kicked and I've never seen something so quick coming off as a red card. It's never a red card."

As a result of his straight red card, the former Sporting CP star will miss United's next three Premier League fixtures against Aston Villa, Brentford and West Ham. Fernandes will, however, be eligible to feature in the club's upcoming Europa League clash against FC Porto on Thursday night.