While the match between Manchester United and Tottenham looked finely poised heading into the break on Saturday afternoon, Cristian Romero’s week went from bad to worse after he was shown a straight red card for a studs-up challenge on Casemiro. After going off ill at Manchester City a week earlier and then calling out the club hierarchy on social media for a lack of investment in the January transfer window, he now faces a four-match ban.
Thomas Frank's side headed to Old Trafford for a lunchtime kick-off in hopes of derailing the Red Devils' three-match winning run, while getting their new year up and running with a first victory of 2026 themselves. But their captain's unnecessary moment of madness was quickly followed up by an opener by Bryan Mbeumo from a well-worked set-piece.
That 10-minute period put Michael Carrick and co in the driving seat at halftime, and the Lilywhites will have it all to do in the second-half. But while many will be confused as to why Romero's punishment for a red card is harsher than others seen in the 2025/26 campaign so far, an explanation can be found in the rulebook.
Why Cristian Romero Misses Four Matches Instead of Three
The reason Romero misses four matches instead of three - meaning he will also miss the north London derby against Arsenal on February 22 - is that it was his second red card of the season, which triggers an automatic additional one-match suspension under Premier League disciplinary rules, as outlined in the FA's regulations for multiple dismissals.
More to follow...