Former Sky Sports president Richard Keys believes Manchester United defender Harry Maguire was ‘very lucky’ to avoid a straight red card during the first-half of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Fulham.
In what was already turning into a pretty dismal opening 45 minutes for a Manchester United rendered utterly toothless in attack without injured top scorer Rasmus Hojlund, at least Erik ten Hag did not have a red card to contend with too.
Harry Maguire clattered into Sasa Lukic long after the ball was gone with around 10 minutes to go before the whistle blew for half-time, catching the Fulham midfielder with an almighty crunch just above the ankle.
And loathe as we are agree with one Richard Keys, the phrase ‘you’ve seen them given’ certainly comes to mind, with Marcus Rashford (against Copenhagen in the Champions League) suffering a far greater punishment for a far less severe offence, for example.
Harry Maguire avoids red card for Manchester United
“Harry Maguire is a very lucky boy,” Keys writes on X. “As clear a red as you’ll see all weekend, and he was only booked by (refeee) Michael Oliver.
“VAR is a waste of time when Oliver refs. No-one will contradict him.”
Manchester United barely threatened Fulham before the break, with Andre Onana required to pull off a number of ‘superb’ stops at the other end of the pitch.
Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag opted to hand Omari Forson his first-ever senior start in attack, meanwhile, the 19-year-old the one to benefit from Hojlund’s injury rather than the horrifically out-of-form Antony.
Omari Forson makes full debut
“He came (off the bench) twice lately in games against Newport and Wolves,” Ten Hag explained, Forson assisting Kobbie Mainoo’s 97th minute winner at Molineux a few weeks back.
“Against Wolves, he had a very good moment where he was decisive in making Kobbie Mainoo’s goal. So he deserves to play. He proved it when he came on as a sub and in training.”
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