The Premier League have explained why Patrick Dorgu was sent off during Manchester United’s clash with Ipswich. The wing-back was shown a red card by referee Darren England following a lengthy VAR check.

England had initially seen no issue with Dorgu's challenge on Omari Hutchinson in the 43rd minute. A robust tackle left the Ipswich winger requiring treatment.

However, replays showed that Dorgu's tackle had been extremely high. While he seemed to get a toe in the ball, the 20-year-old caught Hutchinson on the shin with his follow-through.

England was advised to watch the footage of the incident on the pitch-side monitor and concluded that it was a sending-off offence. It was a disastrous first Old Trafford start for the January signing, who had earlier been involved in a catastrophic mix-up with goalkeeper Andre Onana.

A statement posted on the Premier League Match Centre X account read: “VAR recommended an on-field review for a possible red card to Dorgu for the challenge on Hutchinson – with the contact deemed serious foul play. Upon review, the referee issued a red card to Dorgu.”

The Laws of the Game define serious foul play as: “A tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play.

“Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.”

United had only recently fought back from a goal down to lead 2-1. Miscommunication between Dorgu and Onana gifted Jaden Philogene-Bidace an easy tap in. A Sam Morsy own goal and a first Old Trafford strike for Matthijs de Ligt put Ruben Amorim's side in front.

But after Dorgu was given his marching orders, Philogene-Bidace drew the visitors level. His dangerous inswinging cross caught out everyone in the United penalty area and drifted into the bottom corner of Onana's goal.

In even worse news for United and Amorim, Dorgu will now miss their next three domestic matches after being sent off. It is unlikely that the decision will be overturned.

He will therefore miss Sunday's FA Cup clash with Fulham and the highly-anticipated Premier League visit of Arsenal to Old Trafford. His suspension will also see him sidelined for a trip to Leicester on March 16. His next Premier League outing will come against Nottingham Forest on April 1.