Gudmundsson escapes red card in feisty Leeds-United draw, but officials say he had no case

Gabriel Gudmundsson avoided an early exit during Leeds United’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Manchester United at Elland Road on Sunday, but former top-flight referee Darren Cann has made clear the Leeds left-back was fortunate to finish the match with eleven men.

Gudmundsson caught Andrey Santos on the calf with his studs in a first half that also saw Bruno Fernandes booked for a late challenge through the back of Tahir Muharemovic. Referee Darren England produced a yellow card for the Gudmundsson foul, yet Cann, speaking to BBC Sport, argued the decision could easily have gone further.

“Gabriel Gudmundsson made a very risky challenge on Andrey Santos,” Cann said. “His tackle had similarities with Ryan Sessegnon’s red card for Fulham on Saturday, with both players making contact with their studs on the back of the calf/Achilles of their opponents. Gudmundsson could also have easily seen red instead of the yellow card he received. I think what saved him was that there was a little less intensity in his challenge, however he could’ve had no complaints had a red card been shown.”

Gary Neville echoed that assessment, noting that the speed of the challenge was the decisive factor. “A bit more force and that’s a red,” the former Manchester United defender said.

On the pitch, Bryan Mbeumo gave Michael Carrick’s side the lead with around ten minutes of the first half remaining. Youri Tielemans drove the ball hard and low into the area, and the Cameroonian forward got goal-side of James Justin before poking home from close range.

Leeds levelled approximately five minutes after the restart when Dominic Calvert-Lewin volleyed powerfully past Senne Lammens, latching onto a nodded-down corner from Muharemovic at the back post.

The draw leaves Manchester United 13th in the Premier League table after seven matches, with just one win to their name. Carrick’s side face a Champions League away fixture against Como on Wednesday.