Manchester United managed to break an unwanted streak of two successive games with red cards, avoiding a third. Only just.
Bruno Fernandes was on his best behaviour for Manchester United against Aston Villa, after dismissals against Tottenham and Porto.
Some of his teammates lived on the edge a little, with referee Rob Jones handing out five yellow cards to Manchester United players.
Christian Eriksen, Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo, Marcus Rashford and Victor Lindelof were all cautioned – and managed to avoid a second booking. Just.
Marcus Rashford incident
Marcus Rashford was a little fortunate not to receive a second yellow card after a blatant foul on Leon Bailey in the second half.
The Aston Villa fans were demanding a second booking for Rashford, with the referee awarding a foul against the Manchester United forward.
Rashford received only a telling off, possibly a warning, and Erik ten Hag substituted him minutes later.
Ten Hag admitted via MUTV: “[It] was one of the reasons to take him off. If it was another foul, probably he would be sent off. We can’t take another risk.”
But should Rashford have received a red card? One former referee has claimed it was cut and dry that the Manchester United forward deserved to be dismissed.
Verdict on Rashford
Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett has given his verdict, arguing referee Rob Jones made a clear error by not sending Rashford off.
He told The Telegraph: “It was frankly baffling referee Rob Jones failed to correctly apply the law.
“I’m surprised he did not act and correctly issue a second yellow card when Rashford’s frustration got the better of him.”
He said that the fact Rashford was already on a yellow card should have had no bearing on the decision not to hand him a second booking.
“Each action should be looked at in isolation – and Rashford’s trip of Bailey was petulant and should have been sanctioned,” he argued.
Manchester United could not afford to have a player sent off in the tight game against Villa, which ended in a 0-0 draw.
It was an evenly matched contest, and United going down to 10 men could have made a decisive difference. This time, we might have got away with one.
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