Robbie Savage is certain that Marcus Rashford should have got the red card he received in Manchester United’s defeat to FC Copenhagen on Wednesday night, despite a string of other ex-players disagreeing.
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The England forward was shown a straight red as he went to shield the ball, but accidentally planted his studs above the ankle of Copenhagen player Elias Jelert.
It was clearly unintentional, but the impact was dangerous and after a VAR review Rashford was given his marching orders.
Savage was on commentary duty for TNT Sports and immediately said it was a red card offence, a stance he has not wavered from since.
‘I stand by what I said on commentary on Wednesday night that Marcus Rashford was right to be sent off against FC Copenhagen in the Champions League,’ Savage told Planet Sport Bet.
‘When the referee goes to look at the incident on the VAR screen, he will be asking himself did Rashford’s actions endanger the safety of an opponent and therefore is it deemed as violent conduct? And I agree with him that the challenge did endanger the safety of the Copenhagen player.
‘Do I think Rashford intended to do it? No. Do I think Rashford was unlucky? Yes. Do I think it was an accident? Yes.
‘However, the words such as “intent”, “accident” and “unlucky” aren’t part of the law book. What is part of the law book, though, is whether Marcus Rashford’s actions endangered the safety of his opponent and I think it did. So, based on that it has to be a red card and the referee got the decision right.’
Former Manchester United players Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves were on punditry duty for the match and were both convinced it was not a red card offence.
Speaking on TNT Sports, Hargreaves said on whether it should have been a red card: ‘Not in a million years. Marcus is just trying to put his leg in front of the ball, he’s not even looking at he defender, he’s just trying to put his leg up so the defender bumps into it.
‘Obviously when you see it still [on the screen], it’s the first thing the referee sees when he walks over it looks horrendous. But in real time, he’s not trying to foul him. I know it looks poor, but it’s not malicious, it’s not serious foul play, it’s just a foul, it’s just clumsy, it’s not a red.’
Scholes agreed, saying: ‘I think that’s where the understanding of the referee has to come into it. It’s an accident. Marcus Rashford is trying to plant his foot, protect the ball, he’s not even looked at the kid. Accidentally he’s caught his leg.
It wasn’t just former Red Devils stars who were against the decision, but Liverpool and Arsenal legends could not understand the decision either.
Jamie Carragher posted on social media: ‘No way is that a red card for Rashford!
‘Hate these slow motion replays & still images that make everything look 10 times worse.’
Ian Wright added: ‘No chance that’s a red for Rashford.’
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