Alan Shearer reacts to refcam footage of Cristian Romero’s sending off in Tottenham loss vs Man United
Tottenham fell to defeat once again in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
Goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes sealed a 2-0 Manchester United win at Old Trafford, leaving Tottenham in 14th with just 29 points.
Thomas Frank’s side dealt a big blow in the 29th minute, when captain Cristian Romero was sent off due to a challenge on Casemiro.
The second straight red card of the season for the Argentine means that he will serve a four-match ban, including the North London derby at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium later this month.
Reacting to the incident on Match of the Day, pundit Alan Shearer could not believe what he was seeing.
Alan Shearer as Cristian Romero receives second straight red card
Sent off after a tangle with Casemiro in the 29th minute, Romero picked up his second straight red card of the season, meaning that he will spend the next four Tottenham matches on the sidelines.
When asked about the decision on Match of the Day, Shearer said: “Absolutely, Michael Oliver gets it absolutely right. You can’t tackle like that in today’s game.”
Romero inherited the captain’s armband over the summer and has led Spurs through a rough period thus far under Thomas Frank, making 21 appearances in the Premier League.
“He has to show better leadership,” added Shearer. “Leaders are the ones who perform for the team and make others around them better. Now, he’s going to be missing for four games and Tottenham just do not need that.
“But absolutely, it is a red card.”
Cristian Romero has to improve as a leader if Tottenham are to progress
Romero is a fantastic defender and would be one of the first names on the teamsheet for any side across the continent when fit and available.
Though too often, the Argentine can be the author of his own downfall, with his most recent suspension being his third of the campaign.
After winning the Europa League last May, Spurs were looking to progress under Frank and cement themselves as regular contenders at the top end of the Premier League.
Though that has simply not come to fruition, with Tottenham now just six points clear of the relegation zone with 13 matches to go.
If they are to make the next step as a club, they need to be able to rely on leaders. And that is something that Tottenham can’t currently do.