Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher made his position clear on whether or not Marcus Rashford should have been sent off against Aston Villa.
Manchester United travelled to Villa Park on Sunday afternoon for their Premier League clash after their 3-3 draw against Porto in the Europa League on Thursday.
The Red Devils played out a disappointing 0-0 draw against Aston Villa, with neither side able to break the deadlock over the course of 90 minutes.
Marcus Rashford scored in United’s comeback draw at the Estadio do Dragao and the England international returned to the starting XI for the Villa match.
The 26-year-old United star received a yellow card in the second half after he brought down Villa defender Matty Cash near the touchline.
However, Rashford almost landed himself in hot water for the second time after his sloppy challenge on Villa winger Leon Bailey after his initial booking.
Gallagher on Rashford and Man Utd
Referee Rob Jones did not book Marcus Rashford for the second time after his tackle on Leon Bailey and the Manchester United player was spared from being sent off.
Erik ten Hag wasted no time withdrawing the Three Lions star in the 64th minute for Antony, with the United manager keen to avoid his side going down to 10 men.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, Dermot Gallagher was asked for his verdict on Rashford’s challenge and whether or not Rob Jones made the right call.
The former Premier League referee insisted that Rashford was ‘saved’ after United defender Diogo Dalot arrived and “[swept] the ball up.”
Gallagher admitted that the Three Lions international was a “little bit lucky” with Jones due to the ball “running out.”
“What saves him is Dalot, who comes and sweeps the ball up,” he said.
“The argument is he’s not breaking a promising attack. He gets a little bit lucky because the ball is running out.”
Ten Hag on Rashford substitution vs Villa
Ten Hag insisted that United could not “take another risk” with Rashford committing to another challenge and being sent off after he avoided a second booking.
“Yes, that [the potential for a second yellow card] was one of the reasons to take him off,” he told MUTV, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“If it was another foul, probably he would be sent off. We can’t take another risk.”
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