Jamie Carragher insists Manchester United star should have been sent-off for challenge in PL clash against Villa
Former Liverpool defender turned TV pundit Jamie Carragher has claimed Manchester United star Marcus Rashford was lucky to escape a red card against Aston Villa. The England international was booked during the second-half in the Red Devils' trip to Villa Park on Sunday, October 6.
However, Jamie Carragher was adamant that Rashford should have been sent off for two successive offences. The forward was booked for a late challenge on Aston Villa right-back Matty Cash. However, he was not penalized for tripping Leon Bailey in a dangerous position.
Villa Park roared for a red card but referee Robert Jones chose not to brandish Rashford his second yellow card. Jamie Carragher has claimed that Rashford was fortunate not to be sent off. On commentary duty, the former England and Liverpool defender said, as quoted by The Mirror:
"He is very lucky. He knows he can't get the ball. That should be a second yellow and Manchester United should be down to ten men. Rashford knew the player [Bailey] had gone past him. He was almost tripping him up."
Manchester United settled for a 0-0 draw against Aston Villa at Villa Park and remain 14th in the table with eight points in seven games. Erik ten Hag is under all sorts of pressure with his side's ongoing struggles and could potentially face the axe during the international break.
Marcus Rashford, however, has somewhat improved his numbers this season, having scored four goals and provided two assists in 10 games this season. He only managed to find the back of the net eight times last season in 43 games while creating six for his teammates.
Gary Neville questions Erik ten Hag's Manchester United team selection against Aston Villa
Manchester United legend Gary Neville blasted Erik ten Hag for his team selection against Aston Villa on Sunday, October 6. The Red Devils managed to secure a 0-0 draw at Villa Park.
The pundit insisted that naming Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans as the centre-back duo shows that the Dutchman has no plans regarding his style of play. The former England right-back said, as quoted by UtdDistrict on X (formerly Twitter):
"Manchester United have six centre-backs. If you'd have said five weeks ago you'd end up with Maguire and Evans, I'd say there must be injuries."
"De Ligt and Martinez have been dumped to the bench. The plan was for Ten Hag to establish a style of play. This is not the plan," Neville added.
Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt have been Ten Hag's preferred centre-back duo this season. However, both were dropped to the bench although the latter was introduced for Maguire at half-time.