Aheed Abrar
Erik ten Hag furious with refereeing on Marcus Rashford challenge in Manchester United vs Barcelona
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was furious with the referees for overlooking Jules Kounde’s challenge on Marcus Rashford against Barcelona on Thursday (16 February).
In the 64th minute, with the Red Devils in the lead, the 25-year-old was through on goal. However, the England international was stopped by the Blaugrana’s centre-back at the edge of the box. It looked like a push on the winger’s back.
However, the referees deemed the France international’s challenge on the Old Trafford side’s forward as fair. VAR did not intervene either. In the aftermath, Erik ten Hag was left fuming in the dugout and received a yellow card for his troubles.
Rashford equalised fairly quickly for United after Marcos Alonso gave Barcelona the lead in the opening minutes of the second half. The 25-year-old had a big hand in the Red Devils’ second goal as well.
However, in the 76th minute, Raphinha got on the scoresheet to hand Xavi’s team a lifeline. Overall, it was an end-to-end game that could have gone either way.
Speaking after the 2-2 draw via Manchester Evening News, Ten Hag was miffed by the refereeing. The Dutch manager felt Kounde deserved to be sent off for his challenge in the United forward.
“Also if I make make a point that has a big influence not only on this game but on this round, at 2-1, it was a clear foul on Marcus Rashford. We can discuss if it’s inside the box or outside the box, but definitely it’s a red card.”
The Old Trafford side went to the Camp Nou and gave the La Liga leaders a run for their money. Both sides had periods in the match where they dominated the proceedings.
Rashford has been in fine form for the Red Devils this season. The England international has shouldered the burden of our attack in the current campaign.
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Hopefully, when Barcelona visit United on 23 February for the second leg of the Europa League play-off tie, the Red Devils are able to get the job done and qualify for the next round.
