Graeme Souness believes that there are several reasons why Manchester United midfielder Marcel Sabitzer should have been sent off against Leicester City on Sunday.
The Reds rode their luck in the first 45 at Old Trafford with the Foxes being denied by some brilliant David de Gea saves. Brendan Rodgers' side were made to pay for their wastefulness in the 25th minute.
A sloppy pass by Wout Faes gave United possession back in a dangerous position. A through ball to Marcus Rashford broke the offside trap and the in-form forward slotted home comfortably.
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Back in the Sky Sports studio at half-time, plenty of focus was not on Rashford but rather Sabitzer who performed a risky challenge on Faes on the edge of the Leicester box. The stud-first tackle went unpunished by referee Stuart Attwell.
However, Liverpool favourite Souness was seething at the break and explained why the United man should have received his marching orders. He explained: "100 percent, I think this is a red card for several reasons.
"For a start he’s partly to blame because he’s on his heels, Faes, when this ball breaks to him not being alive to it, but that, Sabitzer has turned side-on to him, and that’s a classic case of if you’re going to go and do someone, that’s how you do it. You turn side-on.
"If he makes contact with the ball, what’s he going to do with the ball? He’s looking at the player.
"I don’t care what some referee who’s never played the game has to say on that, that is a sending off. If that’s not dangerous play, what is?
"Ask any professional footballer, he’s turned side-on, that’s a classic case of setting yourself up to do someone." Fellow Sky Sports pundit Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink also seemed to agree.
"I’ve seen them be given," the former Chelsea forward added. "No offence whatsoever, but I’ve seen them be given. I was definitely surprised when it was not a yellow at least, so I can understand where Mr Souness is coming from."
United would go on to double their advantage through Rashford before substitute Jadon Sancho added a third.
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