Jules Kounde tackled Marcus Rashford on the edge of the Barcelona area as the last man, but referee Maurizio Mariani and the VAR decided the challenge was not a foul. Erik ten Hag was booked for his protests and said the official "can't make this mistake" after the FC Barcelona vs Manchester United game.
/sportzpoint/media/post_attachments/4e4a83c9c7d854c890f0997965558e5ea923b66c30c88e7eb140c8b7ceb9e855.jpg)
Image - Daily Express
Man Utd fought back from 1-0 down to lead 2-1. Rashford's brilliant finish and Kounde's own goal turned the match completely. Barcelona should have been reduced to 10 men when the defender clipped the England international from behind as he bore down on goal. The incident occurred just outside the Barcelona area as the last man, Kounde should have been sent off.
Both Mariani and the VAR official decided no foul had been committed. Barcelona leveled less than 15 minutes later through Raphinha. He leaves the scores level at 2-2 ahead of next Thursday's knockout round play-off second leg at Old Trafford.
Erik Ten Hag's Statement:
Ten Hag said, he asked Mariani after the FC Barcelona vs Manchester United game about his decision and publicly questioned whether the Italian referee was intimidated by the Barcelona fans.
Ten Hag - who was booked for his protests in the situation of Kounde's tackle on Rashford - said, "I have to make the point that it's a big influence, not only on this game but on this round, when on 2-1 there is a clear foul on Rashford".
"I asked the referee 'why' and he said 'it was outside the box and it was no foul'. I think the linesman and the referee were in very good positions to see, and we have the VAR".
"It's not good. It was a terrible decision and I can't understand. Maybe there were impressed by the pressure Barca made, but it can't be on the highest European level."
Ten Hag was impressed with Man Utd's display and he felt his side should have won the match. He said the dominant display against Spain's top team was a big positive. He also expected more goals from his team.
Rashford stated that he was tackled and he thinks that was a clear foul but not a penalty as it was outside the box. He also stated, "It feels like a loss."