Michael Owen has pointed the finger of blame at Marcus Rashford for Phil Foden’s equaliser during Sunday’s Manchester derby.
Having opened the scoring with a stunning effort from 25-yards out, Rashford was then at the centre of City’s equaliser after being left floored after a foul by Kyle Walker moments before Foden put the ball in the back of the net to make it 1-1.
United did well to keep City out for the first 60 minutes, but the first-half performance was unsustainable against the best side in Europe right now. Pep Guardiola’s side didn’t stop there as Foden netted again before Erling Haaland secured three points with a third goal.
There was controversy after City’s first goal, though, with Erik ten Hag receiving a yellow card for his angry reaction towards officials. The manager felt Rashford had been fouled by Walker but no free-kick was given.
Former United striker Owen did not think the foul warranted a free-kick, and he took aim at Rashford for not getting up off the ground and back into position to prevent Foden from scoring.
Owen believes that cost United dearly.
“I thought it was correct nothing was given,” Owen said on Optus Sport, as quoted by the Daily Mail. “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 then cut across your man.
“I felt it was called spot on. And, actually, he would have been back in his position 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 to Sky Sports about the incident, Ten Hag said (via The Mirror): “It is very debatable, I think there was contact and it is a defining moment of the game. Also at 2-1 there’s a reckless action from City’s goalkeeper.
“It was soft, but when you’re in full sprint and you get a little touch you lose the rhythm and that’s why he went down.”
City defender Walker was quick to play down the incident, saying: “I haven’t looked back at it to be completely honest. I didn’t feel there was much in it. I feel like I did what I normally do and get my arm across, but the referee has seen it and checked it on the VAR and they just have to take it as that and we have gone up the other end, it’s sods law isn’t it.”
Subscribe to the Stretty News podcast Strettycast for weekly episodes on Manchester United. You can also sign up to the ad-free Stretty Newsletter. Get the Stretty News verdict on all matters Manchester United.
More must-reads: