Captain Bruno Fernandes might not be happy with Man Utd referee announcement for Newcastle United
Man United make the trip to Newcastle on Sunday for a Premier League clash at St James’ Park.
Man United turn their attention back to the Premier League this weekend as they look to get back to winning ways after not winning in their last three games in all competitions.
They drew 2-2 against Lyon in their last game in the quarter-finals of the Europa League. It means that they take the tie level heading into the second-leg at Old Trafford next week. However, they were seconds away from taking a 2-1 lead, as an Andre Onana mistake, cost the Red Devils a late goal, which Lyon equalised with.
They play Newcastle this weekend at St. James’ Park, hoping to dent the Magpies’ hopes of landing a Champions League place, which has now been confirmed to be the top five in the Premier League.
Bruno Fernandes may be unhappy with Kavanagh’s appointment
The Premier League has appointed Chris Kavanagh as the referee for their game against Newcastle, which won’t come as good news for captain Bruno Fernandes, who was sent off by Kavanagh in October last year.
In a game where Man United lost 3-0 to Tottenham, Fernandes was sent off after he slipped and made minor contact with James Maddison, who went down after the challenge. Kavanagh immediately produced the red card, and it was not advised by VAR that he either reverse the decision or even check it on the screen.
After the game, Fernandes was appalled at the decision. He told Sky Sports: “It’s a clear foul, but never a red card, that’s my feeling. Even Maddison said it’s never a red card. If this is a red card then we have to look at many other incidents where I’ve been kicked or something.”
“Even the contact isn’t that strong, if he wants to give me a yellow because it’s a counterattack, I agree. But I don’t understand why VAR doesn’t call the referee to the screen, for me it’s just not a really good decision.”
Despite the controversial decision against Tottenham, Kavanagh has been selected as the referee for the Newcastle game this weekend. It will be his first United game since the sending-off.
He was most recently seen officiating a game between Fulham and Liverpool in the Premier League last weekend when the league leaders fell 3-2 to Marco Silva’s side. All three yellow cards were against Fulham as Bernd Leno, Emile Smith-Rowe and Sasa Lukic were the trio to get booked.
Who else will be officiating against Newcastle?
The Premier League appointed Lee Betts and Dan Cook as Kavanagh’s assistants for the game against Newcastle on Sunday. Betts was previously the first official during the 3-0 defeat against Tottenham in October.
Sam Barrott has been appointed as the fourth official for Sunday. He has been the main referee in 19 Premier League games so far this season, showing 79 yellow cards, which is an average of 4.16 per game. The VAR will be Peter Bankes, who faced controversy in a Man United game this season. He failed to send off Brighton midfielder Solly March for grabbing Alejandro Garnacho’s neck in a Premier League game in January.