MusaRodrigo Bentancur spent just 12 minutes on the pitch after coming on for Lucas Bergvall in the 66th minute of Tottenham Hotspur’s clash with Manchester United before being sent off following a confrontation with Luke Shaw.
The midfielder’s dismissal left his teammates facing an uphill battle, particularly after Bryan Mbeumo had already put the hosts ahead. His loss of discipline also gave Tottenham an even tougher task as they attempted to fight their way back into the contest.
Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett has now shared his assessment of the controversial incident involving the Spurs midfielder.
What Did Keith Hackett Say About Rodrigo Bentancur’s Red Card?
Hackett, the former chief executive of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), believes referee Stuart Attwell made the correct decision by sending Bentancur off for violent conduct.
Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, the former official praised Attwell and video assistant referee Jarred Gillett for the way they dealt with the confrontation.
“Referee Stuart Attwell and Video Assistant Referee Jarred Gillett handled this confrontation extremely well,” Hackett said.
He explained that the referee took time to assess the situation before communicating with VAR and deciding on the appropriate punishment.
According to Hackett, Bentancur deserved his marching orders for using his forehead against Manchester United defender Luke Shaw.
He also provided some context for the confrontation, explaining that Shaw had reacted after Bentancur recklessly challenged a Manchester United teammate. Shaw then forcefully pushed the Tottenham midfielder to the ground, prompting the subsequent altercation.
However, Hackett believes Shaw was also correctly punished for his involvement, with the defender receiving a yellow card.
His assessment suggests that, despite the controversy surrounding the incident, both players received the appropriate disciplinary action for their respective roles in the confrontation.
How Many Games Will Rodrigo Bentancur Miss After His Red Card?
Bentancur is set to miss Tottenham’s next three matches after receiving a straight red card for violent conduct against Manchester United.
The suspension means the midfielder will be unavailable for Monday’s meeting with Coventry, Tottenham’s away trip to Chelsea on October 24, and their home fixture against Crystal Palace on October 31.
Beyond the immediate consequences of his dismissal, Bentancur could also face a challenge to reclaim his place in Roberto De Zerbi’s starting lineup when he becomes available again.
The Italian manager had reportedly given the midfielder a rest following his international commitments and extensive travelling during the international break. However, his sending-off against Manchester United has left Tottenham with a disciplinary setback at a crucial stage of the season.
Bentancur will now have to demonstrate greater composure and work to regain De Zerbi’s confidence before returning to the team.
Could Bentancur Lose His Place in Tottenham’s Starting XI?
With Bentancur facing a three-match suspension, De Zerbi has several alternatives available in midfield who could take advantage of the situation.
Sandro Tonali, Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray and Mateus Fernandes are among the options the Tottenham manager could consider while the Uruguayan international serves his ban.
Their performances during his absence could influence the competition for places in the middle of the park, potentially making Bentancur’s return to the starting lineup more difficult.
For now, Tottenham must prepare for their upcoming fixtures without the midfielder, while Bentancur will need to put the controversy behind him and ensure that a similar incident does not happen again.
Musa
