08 November 2023 , 21:30
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Marcus Rashford was sent off for Manchester United after the referee determined his challenge reached the threshold of two categories.
The United forward was given a straight red during their must-win Champions League clash in Copenhagen. At the time, Erik ten Hag’s side were two goals to the good, thanks to a quick-fire brace from Dane Rasmus Hojlund.
The Red Devils were in complete control of proceedings, until the divisive incident which saw Rashford dismissed in the 42nd minute of play. The challenge initially went unpunished before referee Donatas Rumsas was advised to check the incident on a pitchside monitor.
Replays showed Rashford caught Elias Jelert on the shin, albeit with the intention of shielding the ball away from the opponents. However, when deciding whether to overturn a red-card decision, intention is not the issue, with the fact the challenge was above the boot and buckled Jelert’s ankle the deciding factors.
The decision left Rashford exasperated and Ten Hag furious on the touchline, with pundits falling to agree on whether it was the right call. Arsenal legend Ian Wright said: “No chance that's a red for Rashford.”
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Former United midfielders Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves agreed, with the former suggesting a lack of understanding of the game led to the red card. Scholes said: “I think that is where the understanding of the referee has to come into it.
“It’s an accident - Marcus is trying to plant his foot and protect the ball - he’s not even looking at the kid. This is where the referee's understanding of the game needs to come into question.”
Hargreaves added: “Marcus is trying to put his leg in the ball, he’s not even looking at the defender. Obviously when you see a still and this is the first thing the referee sees when he walks over, it looks horrendous but in real time he is not trying to foul him.
Rashford's red card divided opinion (TNT Sport)“I know it looks poor, but it’s not malicious, it’s not serious foul play, it’s just clumsy. They have got to start re-reffing the games like that because it’s ruining it.”
TNT Sport commentator Robbie Savage came down on the other side however, and told his colleagues to “take off their Manchester United shirts” when discussing their verdicts. Immediately after the tackle, Savage said: “That for me is a red card. Initially I thought he just turned, but I think that is a red card.
“When you see it from that other angle - he has gone to protect the ball, and by doing that he has stamped on his shin and that is 100% a red card.”
Rashford’s dismissal opened the door for Copenhagen, and the Danes duly kicked it down as they scored twice before the break to level the scores. The first came through Mohamed Elyounoussi, before Diogo Goncalves sent Andre Onana the wrong way from the spot after a Harry Maguire handball.