Tottenham Hotspur drew 1-1 with Manchester United despite having ten men after Rodrigo Bentancur's red card
Tottenham Hotspur have been given a clear verdict on Rodrigo Bentancur's red card against Manchester United after the Uruguay international was sent off for violent conduct.
The 29-year-old was sent off in the 78th minute, with United leading 1-0 thanks to a goal from Bryan Mbeumo. The Spurs man went flying into a tackle with Luke Shaw, before the defender reacted by pushing Bentancur.
The Spurs star appeared to headbutt the United full-back leaving the referee with little choice but to send him off. Fortunately for Roberto De Zerbi, Dominic Solanke popped up with a late equaliser to ensure a share of the spoils.
Speaking on Sky Sports Ref Watch about the incident, former referee Dermot Gallagher said: "I think it's a red card. I haven't spoken to many people who think it isn't. I just wonder if it could have been avoided.
"That tackle (Bentancur sliding on Shaw) has got to be punished. If you give a free-kick for that, it all goes away. What follows, though, I think it's a red card."
Jay Bothroyd agreed with the red card decision but said that both players were lucky to escape injury given their proximity to the advertising boards. Bothroyd said: "If Bentancur was closer to the sideline, he could have hurt himself, which would be dangerous play.
"That first Bentancur challenge should definitely be a booking. He's left the floor; he's out of control. It's an aggressive challenge.
"But by the letter of the law, as soon as you put your head in someone's face, you're gonna get a red card. But I would say Shaw's push is more dangerous than Bentancur's.
"If he's close enough to the touchline, he's flying into them boards. If any of those two challenges catch Shaw, he's coming off the pitch injured."
Former Spurs manager Tim Sherwood says he can understand Shaw being aggravated by the challenges.
"Two tackles Shaw gets," Sherwood said on Sky Sports News. "Van Hecke comes in, gets away with that one, he jumps in. Then Bentancur comes in, I understand why Shaw got heated.
"I've got to say, has he got to wear shin pads? That might stop him getting injured. Is that not a yellow if you don't wear shin pads. He's got a couple of credit cards in his socks.
"If Shaw gets his toe to the ball there, he gets his leg broken."