After earning two yellow cards in a matter of seconds, Diogo Dalot was sent off late in Manchester United’s goalless draw at Liverpool. 

After being booked for vehemently disputing the award of a throw-in to Liverpool, the right back proceeded to remonstrate and was shown a second yellow card nearly immediately before being ejected by referee Michael Oliver.  It left the Portuguese defender – and many others watching – perplexed, owing to the rapidity with which referee Oliver reached back into his pocket to dismiss the United player. 

Erik ten Hag’s position on the topic appears to be apparent, despite the fact that he said relatively little. When asked about the quick-fire bookings after the game, he stated, “I will leave the judgement to you.” 

Ten Hag’s primary fear now, after patching a backline together so many times this season, will be having to rejig his defense once more. 

United cannot also challenge the verdict because it was for two bookable offenses rather than a single red card, notwithstanding the rapid-fire nature of the cards. Dalot will serve his one-match punishment when the Red Devils face West Ham United in their final pre-Christmas fixture on Saturday lunchtime. Ten Hag does have a comparable replacement in the form of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who was an unused substitute against Anfield.