Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford lit up the Nou Camp with an outstanding second half performance against Barcelona.

While he was not bad in the first half, Rashford sprung into life in the second, scoring one goal and playing a key role to create another.

He was also incredibly unlucky not to have been awarded a free-kick or penalty when he appeared to have been fouled when through on goal, with the score 2-1 at the time.

No foul was given and Barcelona went onto equalise, with the game ending in a 2-2 draw.

READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfers in, out, loan deals for January 2023

FC Barcelona v Manchester United - UEFA Europa League
Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images

Rashford decision would have changed the game

Rashford spoke after the game to say he was clear he was fouled in the incident with Jules Kounde. He told BT Sport: “He hits my leg and its clear contact.”

Former United stars on BT Sport agreed the referee got the incident wrong.

Owen Hargreaves said: “It’s a foul, I actually don’t think he’s trying to play the ball.”

Scholes said: “Marcus absolutely flies past him, he can’t handle him.”

He elaborated: “He’s unplayable at the minute, nobody can handle him. Why would he go down there?”

This was a point raised by Rashford after the game in his post-game interview, in which he asked: “I don’t know why the linesman thinks I’m going down there?”

Erik ten Hag was angry with the decision and earned a booking on the sidelines for expressing his view too vociferously.

Scholes sympathised with Ten Hag, commenting: “The manager knows with an incident like that he wins the game.”

Whether a penalty or not, Kounde was the last man and would have been sent off if a foul was awarded. At 2-1 up at the time, United would have had a key advantage, and seen the defender suspended for the second leg. 

Related Topics

Have something to tell us about this article?
Let us know
Close