Man Utd transfer target sent off for ‘punching’ opponent in fiery brawl | Football | Sport

Manchester United transfer target Rafael Leao was sent off during Portugal’s penultimate World Cup warm-up match against Chile after apparently punching his opponent. Leao, 26, who last week admitted in an interview that he wants to leave AC Milan this summer, has been strongly linked with a high-profile move to United during the transfer window.

However, in his first appearance since making that bombshell revelation, Leao was shown a straight red card. Starting for Roberto Martinez’s Portugal in the warm-up fixture against Chile, the forward was dismissed just before half-time following a heated altercation with centre-back Ivan Roman. Al-Hilal’s Joao Cancelo and Felipe Faundez had been tussling for the ball near the corner flag when a brawl erupted, with Leao wading in, shoving Roman repeatedly before striking him in the face.

After a VAR review, referee Giovanni Baccini dismissed Leao for violent conduct, with Roman also receiving his marching orders. As a result, both Portugal and Chile were forced to play the entire second half with 10 men.

Leao has been widely tipped to make the switch to the Premier League, with United, Chelsea and Arsenal all reportedly circling, following his public declaration that he wishes to depart Milan.

Speaking to Sport TV last Saturday, Leao made no secret of his desire to move on. He has spent the past seven years at the San Siro, netting 80 goals and contributing 65 assists in 291 appearances.

Leao said: “I think I gave Milan everything I could give. It is a club that helped me grow a lot and supported me through difficult moments. I am happy to have left my mark on the club’s history.

“Everyone has their dreams, their challenges, the things they want, the goals they want to achieve. And I also want to take on a new challenge in a new league.”

United are believed to be open to acquiring Leao’s signature, with head coach Michael Carrick eager to bolster his attacking options ahead of a Champions League comeback.

Milan have placed a £43million price tag on the former Lille star and are determined not to accept anything below their asking price.

Leao, for his part, would have been hoping a strong World Cup showing with Portugal might boost his prospects of securing a summer move.

However, those plans have suffered a major setback after Leao received his marching orders in Portugal’s penultimate warm-up fixture before the North America tournament.