Manchester United were leading comfortably against Copenhagen until one moment changed everything.
A red card to Marcus Rashford saw Manchester United’s 2-0 lead evaporate within minutes to 2-2, and the team went on to crumble late in the game to a 4-3 defeat.
Opinions were split on whether Rashford deserved the red card. In trying to shield the ball outside his own box from opposing full-back Elias Jelert, he planted his boot directly onto the Copenhagen player’s leg.
VAR intervened to send the decision to be reviewed by the referee, and a red card was subsequently issued to the Manchester United forward.
Elias Jelert on Marcus Rashford red
Marcus Rashford did not set out to injure his opponent, but his intentions did not matter in the eyes of the referee.
Nor did it matter in the eyes of the player on the wrong end of Rashford’s challenge, Elias Jelert.
Jelert, who continued the game and played all 90 minutes, said the Manchester United forward deserved to be sent off.
He told Bold.dk: “I can feel that it is high, but no free kick is awarded to begin with.
“I don’t think he’s after me. He tries to shield the ball and then his foot ends up quite high. There I could feel that it landed well. So yes, it was enough for a red card.”
He added that he could still feel the challenge after the game, commenting: “It hurts a little more now that it has become cold than when you run around with adrenaline.”
Manchester United unhappy with Marcus Rashford red
Marcus Rashford looked bemused when the decision was given against him. He was clearly surprised as well as unimpressed.
Manager Erik ten Hag made his feelings clear after the game. He told TNT Sports: “We played very good until the red card. The red card changed everything. Then it becomes a different game.”
United end the night bottom of the Champions League group, having at one point elevated themselves to second. It just didn’t last long.
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