Gary Lineker has expressed his belief that Maxence Lacroix's red card was somewhat harsh, despite acknowledging that the challenge on Matheus Cunha met the criteria for a dismissal. Manchester Unitedwere awarded a penalty after Lacroix brought down Cunha in the box as the forward seized a through-ball from Bruno Fernandes.

Referee Chris Kavanagh instantly signalled for a penalty as VAR evaluated whether the challenge merited a red card. VAR concluded that the foul obstructed an evident goalscoring opportunity and recommended a sending off, leading Kavanagh to scrutinise the incident himself on the pitchside monitor.

After viewing the replays, he affirmed that the Palace defender would be sent off. "After review, Crystal Palace number 5 commits a clear holding offence which denies a clear, obvious goal scoring opportunity," Kavanagh declared. "Final decision is penalty and red card."

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The verdict ignited discussion on social media, and Lineker offered his perspective on The Rest is Football podcast. He stated: "I think the penalty, he probably did hold onto to him in the box so I get that. But the red card, I thought was a bit harsh, he's going away from goal.

"Now, had he denied a goal-scoring opportunity, yes, but again, what does that mean? Is it supposed to be a clear goal-scoring opportunity? It was a bit wide; it would have been a tough finish."

"But I didn't think they needed to turn it around, and I think a penalty would have sufficed them with that one."

When questioned whether the challenge was somewhat soft, Lineker added: "I don't think they would've turned it over, if they hadn't given it, but it was a soft one. I don't they could've overturned it, if he taken his arm off before he went in the box but I mean, that's what they give penalties for these days."

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Lineker then proceeded to laud captain Fernandes, who has been a beacon throughout the campaign despite the side's earlier turbulent period.

"I think he's the player of the season for me so far," the former Leicester City and Tottenham striker said.

"I know they'll probably give it to someone who's going to win something. I mean, I think for me, it's him or Declan Rice if Arsenal go on and manage to clinch the title.

"I suppose the other one, if he came back and started banging all the goals, it might be [Erling] Haaland again but at the moment for me, to do what he's done this season, and he was still a standout player even when they were going through a rotten spell, when they were really struggling.

"I think he's got such a good footballing brain and technique - what a player."

United, who had been behind in the opening period before receiving the penalty, proceeded to overturn the deficit to claim a 2-1 victory following Lacroix's dismissal, withBenjamin Seskonetting the decisive goal after Fernandes had levelled from the spot.

The triumph has propelled Michael Carrick'steam into third position in the table, taking them above Aston Villa, who had held that place before their 2-0 loss at Wolves last Friday.

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