Ref delay plays into United duo's hands

Manchester United duo Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes will be free to face Fulham on August 20, even though they still remain unsure whether they will have to serve suspensions for their recent red cards in Amsterdam.

The pair were sent off during United’s win over Porto on Friday night, yet four days on the Football Association are still waiting to hear whether the dismissals were reported to the Dutch FA.

With the Red Devils eager to get the matter cleared up before the season gets underway, Soho Square chiefs will make contact with their Dutch counterparts tomorrow to establish the situation.

However, as no punishment can be imposed until 14 days after the FA receive the referee’s report, both Rooney and Scholes are free to face Fulham in United’s Premiership opener and, in all probability, Charlton four days later.

Despite the delay, the most likely outcome remains that Rooney will successfully appeal against an eventual violent conduct charge, reducing the punishment for his foul on Pepe to a yellow card, with Scholes set to serve a one-match ban if the same penalty applies to his tackle from behind on Ricardo Quaresma due to him already being cautioned.