In the first half of Manchester United’s Champions League match against Copenhagen on Wednesday night at Parken Stadium, Marcus Rashford was sent off.
When United defeated Fulham in the Premier League last weekend, the attacker was back in the lineup following his absence due to a minor injury.
However, Rashford made headlines for the wrong reasons as he failed to make it to halftime, while Rasmus Hojlund did so in the Danish capital for all the right reasons.
Following a collision with Elias Jellert, a defender for Copenhagen, the 26-year-old was sent off. Donatas Rumsas, the Lithuanian referee, did not initially see the gathering.
However, a VAR review into a potential red card followed, and the referee was asked to examine the situation again.
He observed Rashford attempting to shield the ball from Jellert’s pressing on the pitchside monitor. However, the United player’s foot crossed the ball and made contact with his opponent’s ankle in an attempt to maintain possession for his club.
When slowed down, the defender’s touch with Jellert appeared to be considerably more painful. Rashford stepped into him, causing his foot to become abnormally bent.
It was definitely not malicious because Rashford was focusing solely on the ball and was not glancing at Jellert. But Rumsas reached for the red because it was undoubtedly careless and put an opponent in danger.
Former United players Owen Hargreaves and Paul Scholes defended Rashford in the TNT Sports studio as he appeared perplexed by the choice.
“It wasn’t a red card in a million years,” asserted Hargreaves. “Marcus is merely attempting to advance his leg toward the ball. Not even his eyes are on the ball. It is terrible to watch a still serving as the referee. It’s not malevolent, nor is it significant foul play.”
“I think that’s where the referee’s understanding has to come into it,” Scholes continued. It’s a mishap. He’s attempting to shield the ball by planting his foot.”
