Manchester United benefitted from a decision from the referee in their Sunday afternoon win over Bournemouth, and the Cherries manager Andoni Iraola had a lot to say about the official after the game.
United will have Peter Bankes to thank, in short, for their 1-1 draw against Bournemouth, although there are arguments to be had that Evanilson did deserve to leave the pitch after his tackle on Noussair Mazraoui.
The red card meant the home side had to play at least 29 minutes with ten men, and the pressure told in the end as Rasmus Hojlund managed to get on the end of a Bruno Fernandes pass in the 93rd minute to grab a draw.
Bankes could have sent off Tyler Adams in the first half for a reckless challenge on Alejandro Garnacho but decided against it in a decision that benefitted Bournemouth. He also made a wrong decision, as Patrick Dorgu won the ball off Adam Smith and was actually booted in the process by the Cherries player, but Bankes gave a foul against United for some reason.
Iraola was unhappy with Bankes after the game and described his frustration in his post-match comments on Sky Sports.
Iraola urges common sense
Andoni Iraola has urged Peter Bankes to have used common sense, along with the VAR team, in their decision-making process on Evanilson’s red card against Manchester United on Sunday.
The Brazilian appeared to slip before crashing his studs into Mazraoui, and Iraola feels that should at the very least absolve his player from being sent off.
Iraola told Sky Sports, “Of course we are going to appeal. It is common sense. In the first half, Evanilson gets a kick in the chest by Casemiro. I don’t think you should have a red card for this. But the VAR cuts the worst angle, the worst frame.”
“Common sense. Everyone who has played football understands. He slips. He doesn’t catch him with the leg that goes high, and the consequence is a red card. It is another three games without playing. The repercussions for us are huge.”
Iraola was also told that there are suggestions VAR did not mention at all to the referee that there was a slip from Evanilson before the tackle, to which the Spaniard had this to say.
“If you are telling me that, then it is something very serious. It is difficult for us.”
United ended up dominating the second half, in what can only be viewed as a positive result for Ruben Amorim and his side. The Reds face a tough Bilbao team on Thursday in one of the most important games in years, and the Portuguese coach will be hopeful today can spur on his team to win the game next week.
Evanilson’s red similar to Bruno Fernandes
Evanilson’s red had shades of Bruno Fernandes against Tottenham Hotspur to it, and Bournemouth may use this in their arguments against getting the decision overturned. Bruno was sent off against Spurs at Old Trafford under Erik ten Hag last year, but the decision did not stand, with the midfielder not serving a three-match ban.
In that instance, Bruno slipped before his studs collided with James Maddison. Evanilson also slipped before he made his tackle, and there is an argument his studs caught the United player a lot lower than Bruno caught Maddison.
Bournemouth, however, could count themselves lucky after Tyler Adams tackle in the first half crunched into Garnacho’s ankle. Many felt that should have been a red card, with some also feeling Casemiro could have been sent off for a high boot on Evanilson in a tackle he wasn’t even booked for.
It will be interesting to see if Bournemouth do appeal and what the outcome will be when the time comes.
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