BRUNO FERNANDES was controversially sent off for a second Man Utd game in a row.
The Red Devils’ captain received a second booking for a high boot against Porto.
Bruno Fernandes was controversially sent off for Man Utd at Porto away
The United captain was accused of a high boot on Nehuen Perez as he received a second yellow card
United raced into a two-goal lead in Portugal’s second city as Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund both took advantage of errors from goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
But Porto came roaring back with a strike from Pepe and an equaliser from summer Chelsea target Samu Omorodion – all before half time.
The hosts took the lead after another Omorodion goal prior to Fernandes’ insane outburst.
The captain of United, who formerly played for Sporting, Porto’s bitter rival, entered the game late to challenge Nehuen Perez for a high ball.
The Argentine then fell to the ground clutching his face and the referee duly produced a second yellow card.
However, replays showed that Fernandes’ boot did not make contact with the Argentine’s head, with his leg only touching Perez’s arm.
Fortunately however, Fernandes’ predecessor as Man Utd captain was on hand to save boss Erik ten Hag from total embarrassment.
In stoppage time, when all hope appeared lost, substitute Harry Maguire popped up to head home an equaliser from a corner.
The Porto game was the second in five days in which Fernandes has seen red – both in controversial circumstances.
On Sunday, he was sent off for a studs-up lunge on James Maddison during a 3-0 loss to Tottenham.
But he then had his red card rescinded after footage showed that he had slipped into the tackle.
He will be eligible for Sunday’s play at Aston Villa as a result of the FA’s ruling.
He won’t get a similar break for tonight’s red card, though, since UEFA regulations state that a second booking may only be reversed in situations of mistaken identity.
His absence from United’s next Europa League match against Fenerbahce, the team of former manager Jose Mourinho, is the result.
Harry Maguire’s stoppage time header rescued a thoroughly undeserved point for Man Utd