- Darwin Núñez was booked after jumping on Matthijs de Ligt in Sunday's match.
- Man United fans wanted him to see red, but a former referee gave his opinion
- LISTEN NOW: It's all starting! New line-up, some new faces, but optimism has faded at Old Trafford
Manchester United fans have gone crazy over Michael Oliver's decision not to red card Darwin Nunez on Sunday, but a former referee supports the decision.
Nunez was booked after colliding with Matthijs de Ligt with 15 minutes remaining and will be suspended for Liverpol's next Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest.
The forward had jumped back into the chest of the defender, who fell clutching his face during the 2-2 draw at Anfield.
Keeping Núñez on the pitch and not checking the incident with the VAR unleashed a wave of anger among Red Devils fans, who called the challenge “dangerous.”
“The more I see it, the more convinced I am: it's a red card ALL day!” Jay Motty said.
Mark Goldbridge weighed in on
Manchester United fans are furious that Darwin Nunez did not receive a red card for this challenge on Matthijs de Ligt.
The Liverpool star came on as a substitute to wreak havoc against United in Sunday's 2-2 draw.
Michael Oliver received a yellow card for the infraction, so Núñez is suspended for one match.
“It has all the components of a red and is 100% deliberate, dangerous and done with the intention of harming the player.”
Another said: 'I can't get over this. It is a dangerous and deliberate game. De Ligt has his eyes on the ball and cannot protect himself because he does not see it coming. Absolute cowardice on the part of Núñez.
One of them commented: “I'm willing to go all the way to the left here… but does anyone else think Nunez's intentional attempt to engage De Ligt with his shoulder is an obvious red card?”
Another said: “Unpopular opinion, but Nunez should be expelled for that.” Set a precedent. Zero intention to play the ball and only light shoulders to bother and hurt him.
Even some Liverpool fans admitted they felt it was a red card, with one writing: “If it had been a red card we wouldn't have had any complaints.”
“Núñez doesn't even look at the ball, he just tries to eliminate De Ligt. It was also completely unnecessary. Not only does he have no goal threat but he is also stupid. The worst deal the club has ever done.
It was Núñez's fifth yellow card of the Premier League season, while he also received another in the Champions League against Real Madrid.
Physicality is an important part of Núñez'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 wasn't a red card
However, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher was on hand to explain why Nunez only received a yellow card on Ref Watch.
'If you look at Núñez, he never looks at the ball. “He is always looking at the player,” he said.
But it hits him in the chest and it doesn't come from very far.
“These are the factors that prevent it from being a red card.”
