Michael Owen has pointed the finger at Marcus Rashford for his role in Phil Foden’s equaliser during Sunday’s Manchester derby.
The Manchester United forward put his side ahead in the eighth minute, rifling a thunderous first-time effort home from 30 yards out.
But Erik ten Hag’s side could not keep Manchester City’s relentless attacking threat at bay after the break, with Foden equalising in equally spectacular fashion.
The City academy graduate doubled his tally with a composed finish past Andre Onana before Erling Haaland’s injury-time goal wrapped up a deserved 3-1 home win for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Rashford may have earned plenty of plaudits for his opening strike but he also came under fire for his role in City’s equaliser after he stayed down appealing for a foul following a tangle with Kyle Walker.
Ten Hag was left equally incensed with the decision, earning a yellow card for his protests, but former United striker Owen believes neither has anything to complain about.
‘I thought it was correct nothing was given,’ Owen said, speaking on Optus Sport after the game.
‘I don’t know why Marcus Rashford was trying to run across his man to start with, he wasn’t even in control of the ball. Surely you’ve got to control the ball first and the cut across your man.
‘I felt it was called spot on. And, actually, he would have been back in this position [defending for the Foden goal] to potentially cut that ball out.
‘He’s been lying on the ground for a minute or so. If he was back in, his position should be there, if he wasn’t lying on the floor prior to that. So he might have been able to prevent that goal.’
Speaking further on the incident, fellow ex-United player Paul Scholes believed Rashford should also have done better in the build-up.
‘I thought he was just worried about Kyle Walker,’ he said. ‘He forgot about the ball and thinks ‘I got to get in front of Kyle Walker.
‘It happened two or three times. He’s conscious of Kyle Walker. And Kyle Walker, at the minute, has that influence on people because he’s so quick.’
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