RED REDEMPTION

BRUNO FERNANDES is available for Manchester United’s next three matches after the club won their appeal against his red card against Tottenham.

United’s captain was sent off in the first half of the 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford after a challenge on James Maddison.

Fernandes appeared to slip as he aimed to win the ball.

And he ended up making contact with Maddison’s leg, with ref Chris Kavanagh almost immediately showing Fernandes red before being backed up by VAR.

It was a huge blow to United’s morale as they were just about to head into the tunnel for half-time only 1-0 down.

While pundits were adamant the clumsy challenge only deserved a yellow card at best.

It also meant Fernandes was due to miss the next three league games against Aston Villa, Brentford and West Ham.

But United immediately launched an appeal for wrongful dismissal.

And the FA confirmed Fernandes’ straight red – the first of his career — had been cancelled.

A statement read: “Bruno Fernandes will be available for Man Utd’s next three games following a successful claim of wrongful dismissal.

“The midfielder was sent off for serious foul play during the Premier League match against Tottenham.”

The news is sure to come as a relief for Fernandes, who raged against the decision at full-time on Sunday.

Explaining that Maddison admitted it wasn’t a red, he said: “Even James Maddison when he gets up he said it’s not a red card. If this is a red card we have to look at many other incidents.

“I don’t understand why VAR doesn’t call him [referee] to the screen.

“The red card makes it worse. I have to appreciate all the effort my team-mates have done to try and return to the game but it wasn’t possible. They showed great effort and character and I was happy for that.”

Fernandes was also backed up by Sky Sports pundits Jamie Redknapp, Ashley Young and Darren Bent.

Redknapp said: “He slips, his feet go under him. I think it is a yellow card.”

Young added: “I don’t think it’s serious foul play or it’s reckless.

“Yes, he is out of control, but he slips, I don’t think he goes to take out Maddison.”

And Bent reacted: “First time I saw it I thought that it was naughty. But he slips and it is more petulant than anything.

“It is a poor decision, a bad one, a poor one.” — Sun.