Mark Clattenburg shares his verdict on whether Kyle Walker deserved a red card for his stamp on Manchester United star Patrick Dorgu.
Manchester United drew 2-2 with Burnley in the Premier League on Wednesday night, in what was Darren Fletcher’s first match as interim head coach.
Fletcher stepped into the role following United’s decision to sack Ruben Amorim on Monday; however, the board is expected to appoint a new interim manager ahead of the Manchester derby next week.
WILL Manchester United beat Brighton in the FA Cup on Sunday?
What will be the score at Old Trafford?🤔
After drawing three consecutive games, the Red Devils are looking to start their FA Cup campaign with a third-round win over Brighton on Sunday.
There are plenty of areas for the team to improve against Brighton, after dropping more points last time out, but Fletcher will also be hoping for better officiating from the referee.
Mark Clattenburg labels Kyle Walker ‘fortunate’ after Patrick Dorgu stamp
Many United fans argued that former Man City defender Kyle Walker should have been sent off for a stamp on Patrick Dorgu during Wednesday night’s draw.
The ball was trapped under the Denmark international when Walker stamped his right foot into Dorgu’s hamstring without touching the ball.
Walker knew he was out of line and immediately apologised to Dorgu, who accepted the handshake request.
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has now explained that Walker was ‘very fortunate’ to avoid punishment for his reckless stamp on Dorgu.
Clattenburg claims that Walker had little force behind his stamp, which he believes is the reason for there being no red card.
“Kyle Walker was very fortunate not to receive punishment [any card] for a challenge on Patrick Dorgu,” Clattenburg exclusively told United In Focus.
“To meet the criteria of a red card, there must be elements of force, speed and malice. While the act by Walker certainly had an element of malice, it lacked any force as it was more of a stepping action and that’s what will save him from getting a red card.
“This must have been the judgment of the VAR as he did not recommend a review.”
What did you make of the decision to disallow Lisandro Martinez’s goal vs Burnley?
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has had his say on the incident…
What did Darren Fletcher say about Patrick Dorgu and Kyle Walker incident?
Fletcher was unhappy VAR didn’t take a closer look at Walker’s stamp on Dorgu.
Referee Stuart Attwell took no action and VAR decided not to check the incident.
The current interim head coach compared the incident with Lisandro Martinez’s disallowed goal in the first half when Walker fell to the ground and won a soft free kick.
When asked if Walker was lucky that Dorgu didn’t make more of the stamp, Fletcher told reporters at his press conference: “So like Kyle Walker did when Licha didn’t touch him? Yeah. That’s sort of the territory we’re getting into, but Patrick’s such an honest guy, he’s never going to do that.
“It didn’t look great from Kyle Walker’s point of view, but I like Kyle and I know him as a person, so I hope the intent was to get the ball.
“Patrick thought the intention at the time was Kyle tried to get the ball and made contact with him, so that was his understanding of the incident in the moment.
“For me personally, I think VAR should have looked at it. They looked at the goal disallowed, which was ridiculous, so they should have been looking at that for me.
“And, as you say, if they don’t, you’re just going to encourage players making massive dramas out of things and being theatrical, which is what we don’t want in the game.
“I don’t want that from my players. I’d strive my players not to do it. But them two situations probably were massive influences on the game the other night, so it shows you how influential it can be.”
WHO is your pick from Carrick, Solskjaer or Van Nistelrooy?🤔
All three have impressed as players and coaches at Old Trafford, which do you want as caretaker?
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