DIOGO DALOT should have seen red for his crunching tackle on Jeremy Doku in the Manchester derby, according to a former Premier League ref.
United’s Portuguese defender scythed down City’s Belgian winger in the 11th minute with a crunching knee-high challenge.
Dalot stamped down on Doku’s right knee and left the City ace writhing in agony.
Referee Anthony Taylor only deemed the challenge worthy of a yellow card, a decision VAR Crawig Pawson agreed with.
But ex-Prem official Mike Dean believes the tackle warranted an early shower for Dalot.
The Sky Sports pundit said: “It’s been cleared by Craig Pawson.
“But for me, that’s juat 100 per cent a red card. There’s not a lot of force in it, [but] it’s too high.
“The knee’s buckled back. For me, that’s a red card. That’s a red card all day.”
Footie fans watching the match agreed with Dean’s assessment of the foul.
One wrote on X: “Dalot on Doku. How is this not a red?”
Another said: “Diogo Dalot only receives a yellow card here. What is the point of VAR?”
And another said: “This is the definition of a red card by Dalot.”
“But because they need to fix the match and keep viewers they ignore
“Could’ve literally broken Doku’s leg in half.”
One remarked: “Dalot with a reckless tackle that is a straight red card and 5 games ban at least not given.”
Another chimed in: “Red card for Dalot on Doku all day long. Anthony Taylor and VAR bottling it again.”
Former City defender Micah Richards was stunned by the decision not to give Dalot a red, saying: “What more do you want for a red card?”
An astounded Daniel Sturridge said: “That’s a red card, that.”
Former United skipper Roy Keane chimed in: “I’ve been down this road before and I’ve given out some heavy tackles, [and] I’ve been on the receiving end of a few.
“To me, I’m no expert on red cards, but I think it’s a red.”
