Gabriel Gudmundsson could have had "no complaints" had he been shown a red card for his challenge on Andrey Santos during Sunday's clash between Manchester United and Leeds United at Elland Road. The fiery first half of the Roses Rivalry saw Bruno Fernandes booked early for a late challenge through the back of Tahir Muharemovic, before Leeds left-back Gudmundsson was pulled up for clipping Santos on the calf with his studs.
Former official's verdict on the tackle
Speaking to BBC Sport, former Premier League official Darren Cann said Gudmundsson could have had "no complaints" if he had been sent off. Cann said: "Gabriel Gudmundsson made a very risky challenge on Andrey Santos. His tackle had similarities with Ryan Sessegnon's red card for Fulham on Saturday, with both players making contact with their studs on the back of the calf/Achilles of their opponents."
"Gudmundsson could also have easily seen red instead of the yellow card he received. I think what saved him was that there was a little less intensity in his challenge, however he could've had no complaints had a red card been shown."
Gary Neville's assessment
Gary Neville, speaking on Sky Sports' coverage of the match, said Gudmundsson got away with one due to the speed of his challenge. The former Manchester United star said: "A bit more force and that's a red."
Bryan Mbeumo opened the scoring for Michael Carrick's men with around 10 minutes remaining of the first half. Youri Tielemans whipped the ball hard and low into the centre of James Trafford's area, with the Cameroonian getting goal-side of James Justin before poking home from close range.
Match result and what's next
Dominic Calvert-Lewin equalised for the Whites around five minutes after the restart, Muharemovic nodding the ball down at the back post from a corner before the centre-forward latched on and volleyed with power past Senne Lammens. That goal ensured the points were halved in North Yorkshire, with United's Premier League woes rolling on for at least another week.
The Reds currently sit 13th in the English top flight standings, having managed just one win from their opening seven matches of the season. Carrick will now turn his attention to a Champions League clash with Como on the road on Wednesday, October 21, followed by a Premier League encounter with AFC Bournemouth on Sunday, October 25.
