Pundits agreed with the referee's decision to only show Bruno Fernandes a yellow card for his lunge on Real Betis keeper Claudio Bravo, although Paul Scholes did label the challenge 'stupid'.
The Manchester United star was only booked after a VAR check as he appeared to turn his foot away from Bravo before making contact with the former Barcelona man.
It was the only real poor moment on an otherwise excellent evening for Fernandes, who bounced back from the weekend's 7-0 loss to Liverpool by picking up a goal and assist in the 4-1 Europa League win.
Owe Hargreaves felt the aggression from Fernandes may have been an over-adjustment after United's torrid display at Anfield.
He said of the challenge on BT Sport: 'It's not a red but it was a yellow. I think obviously what happened is they had a team meeting where they showed them not tracking back and not tackling.
'So you've got it in your head you are going to press and tackle and that's what they did today. But it's not a red.
Paul Scholes agreed the lunge was not a red card offence as he had made contact with the 'side of his foot' rather than the studs, but still felt it was a poor decision from Fernandes.
'It was just a bit stupid really' he said, 'they were up in the game. It was a little bit of risk and gamble he didn't need to take.'
Despite the pundits agreeing the referee had made the right call, there were fans on Twitter who felt he should have been sent off.
One labelled the 28-year-old a 'lucky boy', while others felt the challenge was a 'red card all day long'.
There was also a feeling that the challenge received lenient treatment 'because it's Bruno.'
Aside from the midfielder's late challenge, United enjoyed an excellent bounce back on Thursday after suffering their heaviest loss since 1931 in the previous outing.
Goals from Fernandes, Antony, Marcus Rashford and Wout Weghorst have given the club an excellent chance of reaching the quarter finals, and they are among the favorites to win the tournament, as they did under Jose Mourinho in 2017.
United will next be in action when they face Southampton in the league on Sunday.
Ciebcmtu
0
Bruno Fernandes is the king of all
bolaji99
0
How does this look like red card useless article
ManUnited-Red
0
very close
Yes it was
ManCityFanForever
0
bruno is should be kicked out
ChristianReis
1
How people label this as Red Card?? Just because they hate ManUnited?? I wonder!! I feel even Yellow was harsh
Zocairsz
0
This guy is always lucky and I don't know why he always escape red cz dis is the second time
That wasnt a red in a million years he folded his leg and kept the shins away from bravo’s leg only a yellow for me. And why is no one talking about how their goal stood? After the hand ball. These VAR rules keep popping up whenever we play some of them cost us too. ISSSHHH
mobcdekn
0
Enemies of progress.like or not Bruno is man best.some want him b.cos he is not an English player or b.cos harry is not playing or captaining d team.paul only knows how to talk. in his time he always takle anyhow.we know to hater.this guys are always talking anyhow.even with d wonderful performance.he contributed in 2 goals and score one.only one wrong takles he made.u guy are talking a like children's.paul should go and sleep in shame
thank you bro, love your honesty
hiebdiklny
0
Enemies of progress.like or not Bruno is man best.some want him b.cos he is not an English player or b.cos harry is not playing or captaining d team.paul only knows how to talk. in his time he always takle anyhow.we know to hater.this guys are always talking anyhow.even with d wonderful performance.he contributed in 2 goals and score one.only one wrong takles he made.u guy are talking a like children's.paul should go and sleep in shame
well said man❤️💯
19122966(deleted)
2
Bro thought it was MANCHESTER derby
gm11
0
Put his studs away from his leg tho and kicked him with the side of his foot in the shin guard so if that's a red card then jesus football is really gone very very soft. Miss when players use to break each other up, doing leg breaking challenges I'd say half today's footballers would have to retire if they played rough 😂😂
Chocboi78
0
then there's nothing like var but now there's var
So how does that justify his reckless tackling back in the day?? He even saw red in crucial games and reduced man United to 10 players making us loose the match. Bruno’s tackle on the other hand was very light as he saw and averted the danger on time.. Paul scholes should take a chill pill
hiceklmnor
509
Enemies of progress.like or not Bruno is man best.some want him b.cos he is not an English player or b.cos harry is not playing or captaining d team.paul only knows how to talk. in his time he always takle anyhow.we know to hater.this guys are always talking anyhow.even with d wonderful performance.he contributed in 2 goals and score one.only one wrong takles he made.u guy are talking a like children's.paul should go and sleep in shame
Yisaeilrst
2
Hmmmm Bruno the lucky one Always
Paulmake
5
Not a red card in a million years..
Piyabdpru
0
Bruno my best and favourite player since day 1
since day one
Piyabdpru
0
That was close 🫡😤
very close
Piyabdpru
0
I don't like Bruno for a minute. He plays dirty and always complaining if the favour is returned to him. He should've been sent off.
I think you're out of your mind
Tihknop
2
That was not red card 🥹🥹🥹🥹
Piyabdpru
1
Bruno, Rashford, Casemiro can't be given Red card haters should keep watching.
Piyabdpru
1
but that was really a close one.
Piyabdpru
2
never underestimate Bruno he knows what he's doing, he's one of my best player in the MTU.
Official_Baldwin
0
Red all day long
rabbit teeth
Official_Baldwin
0
Bruno my best and favourite player since day 1
rabbit teeth 😄
duzlnoruz
0
Scholes was the worst when it came to tackling yet he labels it as stupid.. Rather reckless he should have said.. Maybe he doesn't know to explain in English
same thing he did with Pogba, he simply didn't like him
Colito
2
Bruno my best and favourite player since day 1
Colito
0
I don't like Bruno for a minute. He plays dirty and always complaining if the favour is returned to him. He should've been sent off.
so what
Zowcdlmnry
1
Paul says it's stupid because it wasn't an actual leg breaker which he preferred during his time
ephraimpara85
0
if its messi or argentina it will be a penalty for them
[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
ephraimpara85
0
Scholes was the worst when it came to tackling yet he labels it as stupid.. Rather reckless he should have said.. Maybe he doesn't know to explain in English
he doesn't like Bruno
fueaortuyz
1
This guy is always lucky and I don't know why he always escape red cz dis is the second time
Lidaknryz
0
not red
it's Blue
weaaikpt
5
Scholes was the worst when it came to tackling yet he labels it as stupid.. Rather reckless he should have said.. Maybe he doesn't know to explain in English
Covid-21
3
not red
Vicacnpyz
1
Red all day long
Richness-Obi
0
I can see that reading and understanding of English is your only problem
He didn't go against man united either, so why the critics
WOODGGMU
0
Paul scholes was the king of these tackling but now he rebels it stupid decision.
then there's nothing like var but now there's var
WOODGGMU
0
What would you expect to former Man utd players to say?
I can see that reading and understanding of English is your only problem
ManUnited-Red
1
That was close 🫡😤
luhbcdeotz
0
if its messi or argentina it will be a penalty for them
Betantuy
4
real betis were lucky their goal was not chopped off their player controlled the ball with his hand.
50cent4real
0
thanks God for him. who knows what cool have happened
Cabacdeilr
3
how abt the hand ball??
MwenePuta
4
Yeah, I agree with Scholes. Bruno can be stupid, sometimes
gunnerfc
2
What would you expect to former Man utd players to say?
Willtebs
0
This dude is brilliant from abusing an official weekend now to this challenge. He is the best
Prayingjay
0
Paul scholes was the king of these tackling but now he rebels it stupid decision.
Hadeknrst
1
Right decision from ref. but Fernandes is a loose cannon. Another game another ref it could easily be red card.
Vezonic22
4
VAR was getting a spa treatment when this one happened.
peterEkele
0
The keeper was fortunate to continue the match.... I was thinking He would be sub off 🤣🤣🤣