should have been sent off in the first half of ’s clash with on Sunday, believes Graeme Souness, who reckons the Austrian was trying to ‘do’ Wout Faes.
The ball was bobbling towards the Foxes defender at Old Trafford when Sabitzer turned and planted his studs on the inside of the knee of Faes.
The referee clearly thought it was just clumsy and unintentional, because the Red Devils midfielder gave away a free-kick but received no further punishment.
Liverpool legend Souness thinks he was very lucky and should have been shown a straight red, believing the Austrian was intentionally trying to hurt his opponent.
‘100 per cent I think this is a red card, for several reasons,’ Souness told Sky Sports. ‘Sabitzer has turned side on to him, which is a classic case of if you’re going to go and do someone, that’s how you’re going to go and do it.
‘If he makes contact with the ball, what’s he going to do with the ball? He’s looking for the player.
‘I don’t care what some referee who’s never played the game wants to say on that. That’s a sending off, that’s dangerous play, if that’s not dangerous play what is?
‘He’s turned side on, ask any professional footballer, it’s a classic case of setting yourself up to do someone.’
Sabitzer went on to play most of the game, taken off with 10 minutes to go for Premier Legaue debutant Kobbie Mainoo.
Manchester United were 3-0 up by that point thanks to a brace from Marcus Rashford and one from substitute Jadon Sancho, and that’s how the game finished.
The victory cements United’s strong position in the Champions League places, sitting third in the table, just five points behind league-leaders Arsenal and now eight points ahead of Newcastle in fourth.
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