Marcus Rashford: Owen Hargreaves fumes at red card, Paul Scholes questions 'understanding' as Manchester United lose man

Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford didn’t deserve a red card “in a million years” against Copenhagen, according to Owen Hargreaves, while Paul Scholes believes the decision showed a lack of “understanding” from the referee.

The striker was sent off late in the first half of United’s UEFA Champions League clash in the Danish capital on Wednesday night for a foul on Elias Jelert.

However, the TNT Sports pundits argued that there was no malice in Rashford’s actions and the accidental nature of the incident should have resulted in a different outcome.

Lithuanian referee Donatas Rumsas was called to review the footage on the pitchside monitor by VAR before making the call.

It was a damaging moment for Erik ten Hag’s side, who were 2-0 up at the time thanks to a Rasmus Hojlund double but quickly capitulated by conceding twice to go in level at the break.

Asked at half-time if it was a red card, Hargreaves said: "Not in a million years. Marcus is just trying to put his foot in front of the ball, he’s not even looking at the defender.

“He’s just trying to put his leg up so the defender bumps into him. When you see a still, and this is 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.

“They’ve got to stop re-reffing these games like that because it’s ruining it.”

Former Red Devils midfielder Scholes agreed with his fellow pundit.

“I think that’s where the understanding of the referee has to come into it,” Scholes said.

“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.

“This is where the referee’s understanding of the game needs to come into question.”

United travelled to Denmark in desperate need for a win, after taking just four points from their opening three Group A games to put their chances of progression at risk.

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