‘Absolute madness’: Neville left in utter disbelief at what he’s just seen between two players in Everton vs Utd

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Stretty News

·23 febbraio 2026

‘Absolute madness’: Neville left in utter disbelief at what he’s just seen between two players in Everton vs Utd

Gary Neville is dumbfounded that Jarrad Branthwaite has managed to escape a booking in the first half of Everton vs Manchester United.

When vying with Amad Diallo on the flank, Branthwaite pulled the winger’s shirt to directly stop an attack, which prompted referee Darren England to blow his whistle for the foul.

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However, no card was shown – much to United’s and Neville’s dismay.

What Neville had to say about Branthwaite foul on Amad

(Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

Reacting on Sky Sports’ live match commentary, the former Red said: “Absolute madness. That’s just a standard yellow in every football match.

“One of the most consistent yellow cards that you see is the pulling of the shirt. It’s the one that refs ordinarily don’t get disconnected on.”

It comes amid a relatively even and balanced first 45 minutes of action from the sides, with tonight’s clash marking the Red Devils’ maiden trip to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Meanwhile, the Toffees will be hoping they can complete a Premier League double over United, having sealed a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford back in November, doing so with 10 men for the best part of the outing.

Everton vs United is missing several key starters

(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Both managers have had to navigate significant injury setbacks; it was confirmed just hours before kick-off that Michael Carrick would be without stalwart centre-half Lisandro Martinez, who misses out due to a calf problem. Matthijs de Ligt, Mason Mount and Patrick Dorgu are long-term absentees.

As for the Merseyside outfit, David Moyes already knows he’ll be without star loanee Jack Grealish for the remainder of the term, after he had to undergo surgery for a foot stress fracture.