Ex-Premier League referee issues emphatic Fred claim as controversial Man United footage analysed
Fred can have no complaints with the red card he received as Man United were beaten 1-0 by Atletico Madrid in a pre-season friendly on Saturday (30 July), according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League official insisted “there are no friendly games” and the referee had no choice but to give Fred his marching orders.
As shown by the match highlights on Man United’s YouTube channel, the 29-year-old was shown a second yellow card for stamping on Alvaro Morata.
Tempers flared out in Olso as the referee was forced to dish out seven yellow cards as Atletico secured the win thanks to a Jaoa Felix goal.
Fred’s challenge on Morata came towards the end of the game and he had already been cautioned in the first half.
Asked for his verdict on the challenge, Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “It’s a red card.
“There are no friendly games. Players are out there to earn a living, they are getting fitter and more mobile.
“Referees are not allowed to manipulate the laws, they have to carry out the laws of the game.
“It’s that stamp, that avoidable step onto his opponent that has got him a red card.
“The referee has got it entirely right.”
Man United kick off their 2022-23 Premier League campaign with the visit of Brighton & Hove Albion next weekend (7 July).
It will be Erik ten Hag’s first competitive game in charge of the club since taking over from Ralf Rangnick in the summer.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has cited the ‘phenomenal’ Son Heung-min as a Man United deal is agreed.