Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD: Erik ten Hag has insisted the Manchester United should have scored more goals after a 2-2 draw in their Europa League play-off first leg against Barcelona at Camp Nou.
The Dutchman complained that Barcelona had escaped a game-changing clear red card and penalty after Jules Koundé bundled over the Marcus Rashford near edge of an area at 2-1 to the visitors, suggesting the atmosphere might have influenced the referee, Maurizio Mariani.
Manchester United denied
“It was 2-1, clear foul on Marcus Rashford and a penalty,” Ten Hag said. “If it’s in and outside the box, it’s definitely a red card. I asked the referee: why? He said that it was outside the box and it was no foul. The referee and the linesman were in the good position; if not, there is the VAR. It’s not best. It’s an awful decision. Maybe they were impressed by the pressure the Barcelona made, but they can’t be at the highest level.”
Barcelona had a penalty appeal when a ball appeared to hit Fred on the arm, with coach Xavi Hernández confronting the referee at full time. “It’s the penalty the size of a cathedral; how will you feel?” Xavi said. “I do not know what they must do to blow the penalty for handball. They looked at it as well and said never. It seems incredible to me, incredible.”
