Manchester United star Marcus Rashford has slammed the referee for not giving a foul which could have resulted in a red card to Jules Kounde.
Rashford was brought down by Kounde when through on goal. The referee Maurizio Mariani deemed Kounde’s intervention legal, leaving Rashford fuming.
After the game, the 25-year-old was quizzed over the controversial decision.
He told BT Sport (via Manchester Evening News), “It’s a massive moment in the game. To be honest, I’ve not watched it back, but at the moment, I don’t understand why the linesman or the referee thinks why I’m going down there.
“I’ve touched it, went past him, my foot is in front of the ball and he hits my leg. It’s clear contact.
“It’s not a penalty but it’s 100% a foul for me, but like I’ve said, I’ve not watched it back.”
The referee also brandished a yellow card to Erik ten Hag, who remonstrated with the linesman.
The replays showed that the initial contact was made outside the box, which ruled out United’s penalty appeal.
However, Kounde was Barcelona’s last player during that move, and he could have received his marching orders if the referee had given a foul.
United’s luck in Europa League has not been great when it comes to refereeing decisions. They lost to Real Sociedad due to a poor VAR call against Lisandro Martinez during the group stage match.
They have every right to be furious over tonight’s harsh decision, but they have to move past it quickly.
With this enthralling 2-2 draw, the tie will be decided at Old Trafford when Barcelona visit Manchester next week.
All eyes will be on Rashford again who has taken his season’s goal tally to 22, equalling his best-ever goalscoring tally.
