Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett says ‘petulant’ Marcus Rashford should have been sent off during Manchester United’s goalless draw with Aston Villa.
United ended a chaotic week with a hard-fought draw with an Aston Villa side who beat Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich in the Champions League in midweek.
Erik ten Hag was facing the sack after last weekend’s dismal 3-0 defeat to Tottenham but his United team drew 3-3 with Porto on Thursday night before picking up a point at Villa Park.
Eight points from seven games represents Manchester United’s worst ever start to a Premier League season and leaves the Red Devils just 14th going into the international break, five points above the relegation zone.
United captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off against Tottenham and Porto and his team-mate Rashford should have followed suit against Aston Villa, according to ex-official Hackett.
Rashford was booked for a foul on Matty Cash on the hour mark and the Villa players called for a second yellow card when he made a similar tackle a few minutes later.
Ten Hag reacted by immediately bringing Rashford off and Hackett says this was to ‘ensure’ he was not sent off.
‘Marcus Rashford should have been shown a second yellow card for his challenge on Aston Villa’s Leon Bailey, and it was frankly baffling referee Rob Jones failed to correctly apply the law,’ Hackett told the Daily Telegraph.
‘The only thing I can think of is that the first yellow – for a trip on Matty Cash – was soft, and Jones must have felt it would have been harsh to dismiss a player for those two offences.
‘However, that should not be taken into account when judging a players’ actions – each action should be looked at in isolation – and Rashford’s trip of Bailey was petulant and should have been sanctioned.
‘If there were any debate then that disappeared when Erik ten Hag rightly substituted the player to ensure he was not sent off the next time he committed a foul.
‘I say this while acknowledging that Jones is having a fine season and, to my mind, is now our third best referee behind Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor. He handles games well and does not seem to be overawed by the big occasion.
‘That is why I’m surprised did not act and correctly issue a second yellow card when Rashford’s frustration got the better of him.’
Ten Hag admitted he ‘could not take the risk’ when asked about Rashford’s substitution.
‘Yes that was one of the reasons to take him off,’ the Dutchman said. ‘If it was another foul probably he would be sent off. We can’t take another risk.’
On Manchester United’s performance at Villa Park, Ten Hag added: ‘I think it’s the fourth clean sheet this season. You see we had a very good organisation and togetherness.
‘There was good character and good spirit as a team. Determined, resilient. We almost didn’t concede a chance, when you defend like this and get some luck, in the end they had a big chance but it was almost the only chance I think.
‘We created some chances, also not so many chances. We hit the crossbar and also Rashford had chances. But the two teams were really balanced.
‘In Porto our build-up was brilliant, so good in the first 25 minutes, we out-played Porto. Also Palace, in possession we were so good, we have had games this season where we are good.
‘But today we didn’t create too many chances, but also we played a great team. We create loads of chances in our seven games but we have to step up.
‘We have to take into consideration Hojlund is returning, he’s still coming up to full fitness. But others are stepping up. I was impressed from Rashford, also Garnacho is so good, and Antony at the end.’
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