Bruno Fernandes' three-match ban has been overturned after Manchester United won an appeal against his sending-off in the defeat to Tottenham at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Fernandes was shown a straight red card for the first time in his United career by referee Chris Kavanagh for a tackle on James Maddison just before half-time. VAR upheld the decision even though Fernandes appeared to slip as he made the challenge.
The Portugal star was due to miss the games against Aston Villa, Brentford and West Ham, but the FA confirmed on Tuesday night that United’s appeal has been upheld.
A statement read: ‘Bruno Fernandes will be available for Manchester United’s next three games following a successful claim of wrongful dismissal.
‘The midfielder was sent off for serious foul play during the Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, September 29.’
Bruno Fernandes was a shown a straight red card for a foul on James Maddison in the first half of Man United's 3-0 defeat by Tottenham
The Red Devils skipper appeared to catch Maddison high up on his leg but replays showed that contact was made on the Englishman's shin with the side of Fernandes' boot
Fernandes was set to miss crucial Premier League clashes over the next month but will now be available for selection
United boss Erik ten Hag will be relieved that is captain is available again as he tries to steer his team through another crisis following three defeats in their first six Premier League games.
Fernandes, who will lead United out in Thursday's Europa League tie against FC Porto as he returns to his home city, protested to Kavanagh at the time and claimed that Maddison agreed with him.
‘It was never a red card, that is my view,’ said Fernandes. ‘The referee tried to tell me that as he saw it was a clear contact with the studs. No. I didn’t touch him with the studs or even the foot, it was my ankle.
‘It is a clear foul. If he wants to give me a yellow because they are going to go on a counter, then I agree. But more than that, no. It is not the case.
‘Even Maddison, when he gets up, you can see in the image, he just said, “it’s a foul but it’s never a red card”. That’s what he said.’
In addition to the midfielder's comments, Kavanagh's decision was slammed by pundits after the fixture, while former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher also came to his defence.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: '[There is] a lot of debate. That's the referee's view - I don't think the referee can see it, that's the first point. I don't think the referee sees the challenge happen, and if you look at the screen, you will see the assistant flag it.
Erik ten Hag will be relieved to be able to call upon his captain as he tries attempts to steer his side through another crisis
'The assistant has a different view and a different angle, and if you run it on, this is the assistant. That is not his [Kavanagh's] angle.
'This is the assistant's angle. If you stop there, you could understand why the assistant would relay to the referee that Fernandes is high; he's off the ground and he would have the impression that he's caught him knee-high. But when you run it through, you only see that it's a glancing blow down the leg. He doesn't catch him like he thinks.
'I can understand the referee not seeing it, he has to go on the assistant's view and that is that he's high, and he's caught him like that - but he hasn't. I think he has an optical illusion. When you see it, a more palatable decision would be a yellow card.'