Manchester United were given a boost when Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez was sent off at Old Trafford just before the break
Manchester United have been informed that Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez was sent off after a VAR check for the foul on Rasmus Hojlund.
In a half where United had the better of things, the momentum shifted further in their favour just before the break when Martinez was sent off after clattering into Hojlund outside the penalty area. The Dane had latched onto a loose Matty Cash back pass to charge through on goal but was wiped out by the Argentine goalkeeper.
The Premier League Match Centre confirmed the reasoning behind the sending off shortly after the incident. “The referee’s call of red card to Martinez for denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity (DOGSO) was checked and confirmed by VAR,” they wrote on social media.
In the TNT Sports commentary booth, former striker Ally McCoist and his broadcast partner Darren Fletcher were shocked by what they witnessed. “That is ridiculous from the goalkeeper,” Fletcher began.
“First thing you have got to say is that Matty Cash doesn’t help him at all,” McCoist replied. “But the goalkeeper… He (Hojlund) is going away from goal.
“Yes, he has a real opportunity to knock it in with his left foot but you have got to let him go. You have to let him go.”
“I am going to tell you something, I don’t think he (Hojlund) is scoring with his left foot,” McCoist continued. “He is going that wide.
“It is unbelievable. He has taken it wide and he just barges into him.
“The bottom line is that he is going to get a strike with his left boot and I don’t think Pau Torres is going to get back. He has got to let the player go though and take his chance.
“I don’t know what Matty Cash is thinking about. Dear me.
“Credit to Hojlund. I will stand by what I said, Hojlund is definitely getting a strike away with his left boot, I don’t think Torres is getting back, if Hojlund hits it first time but what a madness.”
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2025-05-25 16:22:50
