Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

Man Utd are fined by FA following Chelsea draw despite Bruno Fernandes appeal decision

by · Birmingham Live

Manchester United have been slapped with a hefty FA fine following their 1-1 draw against Chelsea. The Red Devils, led by interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, saw six of their players receive yellow cards during the match, triggering an FA fine for breaching discipline rules.

Bruno Fernandes had initially put United ahead with a penalty, but Chelsea's Moises Caicedo quickly equalised. Players Manuel Ugarte, Diogo Dalot, Marcus Rashford, Casemiro, Amad Diallo and Lisandro Martinez were all booked, with Martinez's challenge on Chelsea's Cole Palmer causing controversy after VAR deemed it not worthy of a red card.

According to the Manchester Evening News, the usual £25k fine has been doubled to £50k due to United having already been charged for the same offence this season, including in their 3-0 defeat to Tottenham at Old Trafford where Fernandes was sent off for a challenge on James Maddison. Despite his red card being overturned, United still faced a fine for their lack of discipline in that game.

Ahead of United's Europa League clash, Bruno Fernandes has spoken about his contentious sending off, expressing, "I don't take him as everyone wants to see it," he said. "I don't go in with the studs, I take him with my ankle, it's a clear foul but never a red card."

Revealing James Maddison's reaction, he added, "Even Maddison when he gets up, he said it was a foul but never a red card. You can see it's never a red card and if it is, we have to look at many other incidents. I have many incidents against me and I've never seen it come so quick as a red card.", reports the Mirror.

"The contact is not that strong. If he wants to give me a yellow because it's a counter-attack, I agree and I don't know why VAR doesn't call the referee to the screen. For me, it's not a good decision."

Man United are set to play PAOK in the Europa League this Thursday, and Ruud van Nistelrooy will lead his last game on the weekend against Leicester at Old Trafford.