Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has moved to defender Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes after his second red card in two games.
CNN Portugal cover comments from the Portugal boss today defending the Manchester United star and his recent red cards.
Fernandes saw red for the second time in a week against Porto on Thursday, after picking up a second yellow in the 3-3 draw with the Portuguese side in the Europa League clash at Old Trafford.
It continued an unwanted streak for the midfielder, who was also sent off against Tottenham in Premier League on Sunday.
That was for a challenge that the referee at the time deemed to be dangerous but was preceded by a slip, which seemingly went unnoticed by the official and VAR.
It was later overturned after an appeal, something which may help to soothe the pain of the sending off against Porto.
This one was for a second yellow after the Portugal international was punished for a high foot in the 82nd minute, with Porto defender Nehuén Pérez stooping for a ball and going down holding his face.
The Manchester United captain was visibly annoyed by the decision and Martinez can understand that, believing the red card was unfair.
“I think Bruno Fernandes has a lot of experience, but I’ve seen a lot of football in my life, and I’ve never seen two unfair red cards in consecutive games,” he said.
“Bruno is a focused player, he has a lot of experience, he knows perfectly well that this is part of football. I don’t think he’s ever seen a red card in his career, now he’s seen two, it’s part of the experience.”
