Manchester United fan and presenter Eamonn Holmes has claimed Andy Carroll "should've been arrested" for his challenge on Christian Eriksen.
The former Newcastle and Leeds forward dived in during Reading's FA Cup defeat at Old Trafford a fortnight ago, scything through the Danish midfielder. Just days after the cup clash it was confirmed that Eriksen would be sidelined for an "extended period" due to an ankle issue - sustained in the tackle with Carroll.
The forward would eventually see red for two bookable offences but his tackle on Eriksen could have long-lasting effects for Erik ten Hag and Co given the Dane's influence in midfield since joining in the summer - and Holmes has made his views known.
He said on GB News : "I think Andy Carroll should've been arrested for what he did to Eriksen, I really do. It was an absolutely horrendous foul, an awful tackle and it is going to impact on our season big time - last night being an example because the defence and attack was not joined up with Eriksen missing."
In the immediate aftermath of Carroll's dismissal he was widely criticised by the pundits in the ITV studio - Roy Keane among them. The Irishman said: "Ex-Liverpool, sometimes that plays on your mind, you're up there not getting great service. Still for an experienced player, it is fine for me never getting sent-off, but a bit more discipline."
His colleague that night Ian Wright went on to add: "There was one where he smashed into Eriksen which I thought was a booking as well. I’m just thinking to myself why are you going in like you are? Simply because they need you to be that focal point."
Erik ten Hag too made his frustration known as he called for more protection and criticised the nature of Carroll's tackles. “I’m disappointed about that,” he said. “I think football has to set limits, restrictions, that protect the players. What football wants is the best players to be available on the pitch. That is a tackle - and the two tackles after it – that don’t belong on a pitch, because there is a high risk of injuring your colleague. So it’s worse and I’m left wondering about that.”
Once Eriksen's absence was confirmed United acted quickly in the final hours of the January transfer window, bringing in Marcel Sabitzer on loan from Bayern Munich until the end of the season. The Austrian started for the first time in the Premier League on Wednesday night as United battled from 2-0 down to earn a point against Leeds.
The draw means the Red Devils sit three points behind neighbours Manchester City having played a game more. The two dropped points also open the door for Newcastle to leapfrog them into third.
