REFEREE expert Keith Hackett has told the Daily Echo he thinks Bruno Fernandes should have been sent off for attempting to strike James Ward-Prowse at Old Trafford.

The Portuguese Manchester United midfielder and Saints’ captain came to blows after a grappling contest in the middle of the park, during the 1-1 draw on Saturday.

The pair collided off the ball while taking up the same space and it appeared that they held onto each other in a short tussle.

Attempting to break free from the grip, the video shows the frustrated Fernandes then swinging a right hand at Ward-Prowse.

However, referee Stuart Attwell did not punish the attacking midfielder for incident nor did Jared Gillet on VAR call for it to be reviewed.

Daily Echo: Keith Hackett was a FIFA list referee for 10 years (Pic: PA)Keith Hackett was a FIFA list referee for 10 years (Pic: PA)

Former FIFA list referee and PGMOL boss Hackett, who is one of the most respected officials in the English game, insists he thinks that action should have been taken.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Hackett said: “It is clear that Fernandes made an attempted strike at his opponent. It is a red card offence, where was the red?”

He added: “Where was the VAR? He should have been dismissed.”

Fernandes was also involved in frustrations during the reverse fixture at St Mary’s in August, when he believed he was fouled on the ball in the build-up to the Saints opener – a Che Adams strike that deflected off of Fred.

The Red Devils were awarded four yellow cards by Attwell over the 90 minutes on this occasion, while Saints left Manchester with a clean bill of discipline.

That incident was not the only one that caused some murmurs, after United captain Harry Maguire appeared to bundle over Armando Broja inside the area in the final minutes.

It then appeared that his studs came down on the Albanian’s ankle and shin, while he was trying to step over his body. Nothing was awarded by the match officials.

Do you think Fernandes should have been sent off?