The refereeing decisions in Barcelona and Manchester United’s Europa League clash has had the two coaches complaining
Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag thinks that Jules Kounde should’ve been sent off for his challenge on Marcus Rashford in their 2-2 draw with Barcelona.
Ten Hag questions the officials
Manchester United came back from 1-0 to make it 2-1 in the first leg of Europa League last-16 play-off in Camp Nou on Thursday. Marcus Rashford had the chance to make it 3-1 in the 63rd minute but Kounde brought him down, which Erik ten Hag believes should have seen the Barca defender sent off.
“We have a lot of character and determination in this team. The belief we had to score the first goal and the meaning of the first goal is so important and that’s what we didn’t do it” he said to BT Sport.
“Then we turn around when are down, and I also think the refereeing had a big influence in this game. I think it’s a clear foul on Rashy. You can discuss if it’s in our outside the box, but then it’s a red card because he was one-on-one with the goalkeeper. It’s a big influence, not only on this game but in this round, and referees can’t make such mistakes.”
Rashford also shared his perspective, telling BT Sport: “It is a massive moment in the game and I have not watched it back but in the moment I don’t get why he thinks I am going down there [too easily]. I have touched it, passed him and there is clear contact, it is maybe not a penalty but it is 100 per cent a foul.”
The match finally ended 2-2 with the two teams meeting at Old Trafford on February 23.
