Man United followers fume over Darwin Nunez escaping a crimson card for ‘harmful’ problem on Matthijs de Ligt – as ex-referee explains why Liverpool star was NOT despatched off
- Darwin Nunez was booked after jumping into Matthijs de Ligt in Sunday’s match
- Man United fans wanted him to see red but a former ref has given his view
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Manchester United fans have gone ballistic over Michael Oliver’s decision not to red card Darwin Nunez on Sunday – but a former referee supports the call.
Nunez was booked after crashing into Matthijs de Ligt with 15 minutes to go and will be suspended for Liverpol’s next Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest.
The forward had jumped back-first into the chest of the defender, who went down holding his face during the 2-2 draw at Anfield.
Keeping Nunez on the pitch and not checking the incident with VAR unleashed a wave of rage from Red Devils fans, who branded the challenge ‘dangerous’.
‘The more I’ve seen it the more convinced I am – that is a red card ALL day long!’ said Jay Motty.
Mark Goldbridge chimed in on X: ‘Not that it changes the result but the more I see that Darwin Nunez foul on De Ligt the more angry I get at VAR.
Manchester United fans are fuming that Darwin Nunez was not red-carded for this challenge on Matthijs de Ligt
The Liverpool star came on as a substitute to cause havoc against United in Sunday’s 2-2 draw
Michael Oliver dished out a yellow card for the offence, so Nunez is suspended for a game
‘It has all the components of a red and is 100% deliberate, dangerous and done with the intent to harm the player.’
Another said: ‘Can’t get over this. It’s dangerous play and it’s deliberate. De Ligt has his eyes on the ball so cannot protect himself because he doesn’t see it coming. Absolute cowardice from Nunez.’
One commented: ‘I’m willing to go completely left field here… but anyone else think Nunez purposeful attempt to shoulder de ligt in the face is an obvious red card?’
Another said: ‘Unpopular opinion but Nunez should lowkey be sent off for that. Set a precedent. Zero intent to play the ball and just shoulders de ligt to annoy and hurt him.’
Even some Liverpool fans admitted they felt it was a red card, with one writing: ‘If this had been a red, we would have had zero complaints.
‘Nunez isn’t even looking at the ball, he’s solely trying to take out De Ligt. It was completely needless too. Not only does he have no goal threat but he’s brainless. The worst business the club has ever done.’
It was Nunez’s fifth yellow card of the Premier League season, while he has also picked up another in the Champions League against Real Madrid.
Physicality is a big part of Nunez’s game but he has taken it too far in the past. He was sent off on his home debut in August 2022 after headbutting Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher explained why it was not a red card
However, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher was on hand to explain why Nunez was only given a yellow card on Ref Watch.
‘If you watch Nunez, he never looks at the ball. He’s always looking at the player,’ he said.
‘But he catches him in the chest and he doesn’t come from a long distance.
‘They are the factors that stop it from being a red card.’
