‘The only thing I’d say’: BBC pundit defends Man United player after 76th moment against Arsenal

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Arsenal beat Manchester United today in the early kick off as the Gunners once again put the top four within their grasp to cap off a fine week of football.

After winning at Chelsea in midweek, Arsenal produced the goods this afternoon too as they saw off Ralf Rangnick’s United side at The Emirates. Goals from Nuno Tavares, Bukayo Saka, and Granit Xhaka were enough for Arsenal to pick up a huge win and surely put an end to United’s own top four hopes.

There was plenty to digest in the 90 minutes, too. There were VAR checks galore, disallowed goals, penalties, and plenty of tasty challenges thrown in. Indeed, one of the eye-catching moments was a challenge from Bruno Fernandes, who seemed to leave his foot in on Tavares.

Fernandes was booked for the tackle but VAR also took a look at it, before deciding that the initial punishment was enough. And watching on for the BBC, former Premier League stopper Mark Schwarzer offered some defence of Fernandes.

“The only thing I’d say in Fernandes’ defence is he was in control, he wasn’t off the ground. But it wasn’t a nice challenge,” Schwarzer said on BBC Five Live.

Fernandes endured a nightmare day really. He missed a penalty and then gave the ball away for the third goal.

TBR’s View: Fernandes Sent Off On Another Day

This is one of those challenges where if the ref had given a red initially, Fernandes couldn’t really complain.

It was a nasty tackle and didn’t look great at all. As Schwarzer says, the only thing that’s saved him really is the fact he appeared to be in control of things. However, another ref and another VAR might have seen this differently.

Not that it mattered, of course. Arsenal took their chances when it mattered and now hold the cards when it comes to the top four.