Man United handed immediate red card verdict after Diogo Dalot controversy

Manchester United have been given an immediate verdict on Diogo Dalot's challenge on Jeremy Doku during Saturday afternoon's Manchester derby. Former Premier League referee Mike Dean believes United should have been reduced to 10 men in the first half against Manchester City.

Dalot was only shown a yellow card after catching Doku's knee with a high boot. "For me, that's 100% a red card," he said on Sky Sports News. "There's not a lot of force in it, but it's too high, the knee's buckled back, for me, that's a red card all day. At normal speed, to be fair, you can't tell, it just looks like it's a late tackle and he's caught him.

"But when you see the replays, the replays aren't good; for me, that's a red card. I know they said don't go looking for things, but it's high, it's across the kneecap, it's a red card all day."

Meanwhile, Sky Sports pundits Roy Keane, Daniel Sturridge and Micah Richards all felt the decision should have been different. However, following a VAR check, officials felt there was not enough intent to upgrade the incident to a red card.

At half‑time, Richards said: "He's on top of his knee - that's the clearest red card you're going to see. I mean, what more do you want for a red card? Studs on the knee."

Sturridge then added: "That's not a glancing blow. That's like taking a knee in a boxing match - you've taken a good punch to the jaw. That to me there, looks like a red. If I'm Doku, I'm staying down. If he stays down longer... That's a red card."

Keane then shared his own opinion, insisted: "Well maybe, but obviously they've had a look at it, do you know what I mean? We always argue about 'does it matter what minute it is? Is it too early? Too early to score a goal?

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"Bad tackle, like that? Listen, I've been down this road before: I've given out some heavy tackles and been on the receiving end of a few.

"To me? I'm no expert on red cards, but...I think it's a red."

The Premier League Match Centre identified the challenge as neither forceful nor intense.

A tweet on X read: "The referee's call of yellow card to Dalot for a reckless challenge was checked and confirmed by VAR - with the contact deemed to be glancing and not with excessive force."

United icon and Sky Sports co‑commentator Gary Neville also shared his views, saying: "Not good. It is knee high. The ball is there and Jeremy Doku shifts it. Diogo Dalot is very late.

"He is clearly looking for the ball, but Doku is too quick for him."

Elsewhere, Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer took to X, posting: "And again. That's a red all day man. What on earth are they thinking."