Reds suffer Bruno blow for second leg v Sevilla
Manchester United will have to play the second leg of the Europa League quarter-final against Sevilla without another key player, due to a one-match ban for Bruno Fernandes.
The Portuguese playmaker is suspended for the return fixture at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium after being booked in the first meeting at Old Trafford.
His fate was sealed in the 41st minute when he was adjudged to have blocked Nemanja Gudelj's shot with his arm and despite his protestations, Bruno was cautioned by German referee Felix Zwayer.
That incident came just moments after another big call by the match officials. Sevilla forward Erik Lamela survived a red-card check by VAR, and was only shown a yellow card, for a challenge that left Casemiro writhing in agony. Thankfully the Brazilian midfielder was also able to stay on the field after receiving treatment.
His fate was sealed in the 41st minute when he was adjudged to have blocked Nemanja Gudelj's shot with his arm and despite his protestations, Bruno was cautioned by German referee Felix Zwayer.
That incident came just moments after another big call by the match officials. Sevilla forward Erik Lamela survived a red-card check by VAR, and was only shown a yellow card, for a challenge that left Casemiro writhing in agony. Thankfully the Brazilian midfielder was also able to stay on the field after receiving treatment.
Speaking on MUTV at half-time, former United defender Wes Brown admitted: "It's disappointing. Bruno doesn't miss many matches first of all, so that will be a big loss.
"Bruno just needs to keep his head now [in the second half]. The [reason he was booked] wasn't as bad as Lamela's but ultimately he's on a yellow now so let's be smart about it and get on with it.
"Maybe if United get another goal, the manager will take him off because anything can happen. A mistimed tackle could get him another yellow card and then he'd be sent off and miss two games. But that's up to Bruno as well."
"Bruno just needs to keep his head now [in the second half]. The [reason he was booked] wasn't as bad as Lamela's but ultimately he's on a yellow now so let's be smart about it and get on with it.
"Maybe if United get another goal, the manager will take him off because anything can happen. A mistimed tackle could get him another yellow card and then he'd be sent off and miss two games. But that's up to Bruno as well."
Fernandes re-emerged for the second half but handed over the captain's armband to club skipper Harry Maguire, who came on as a replacement for Raphael Varane. The French centre-back appeared to take a knock during the first 45 minutes.
Bruno was eventually substituted in the 62nd minute, making way for Christian Eriksen's second appearance since returning to fitness.
Ten Hag was already preparing to be without Marcus Rashford for the second leg against Sevilla, after it was announced that our top scorer would miss a few games due to the muscle injury he sustained in last Saturday's win over Everton. Now the manager will have to plan for the game without Fernandes as well.
Bruno was eventually substituted in the 62nd minute, making way for Christian Eriksen's second appearance since returning to fitness.
Ten Hag was already preparing to be without Marcus Rashford for the second leg against Sevilla, after it was announced that our top scorer would miss a few games due to the muscle injury he sustained in last Saturday's win over Everton. Now the manager will have to plan for the game without Fernandes as well.
Meanwhile, our Spanish opponents have also had their options reduced for next Thursday's clash by a yellow card, shown to Gonzalo Montiel.
Like Fernandes and Casemiro, the right-back - who scored Argentina's World Cup-winning penalty in December - went into the game knowing he was one caution away from a ban.
Montiel was booked after just 11 minutes, for throwing the ball away when a free-kick was awarded against his side.
Like Fernandes and Casemiro, the right-back - who scored Argentina's World Cup-winning penalty in December - went into the game knowing he was one caution away from a ban.
Montiel was booked after just 11 minutes, for throwing the ball away when a free-kick was awarded against his side.
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