Garnacho headed straight down the tunnel after being substituted in the aftermath of Patrick Dorgu’s red card. ..Continue Reading
United were leading Ipswich 2-1 at Old Trafford, having come from behind in the first half. The £30m signing from Lecce was shown a red card for a dangerous challenge on Omari Hutchinson.
Dorgu’s reckless tackle struck high on the young winger’s shin.
“Red card, all day, every day,” said Robbie Savage, who was commentating on the match for TNT Sport. “The more you see it, there’s no argument. It’s over the top of the ball. It’s a straight red card, bad tackle.”
On their X account the Premier League said: “VAR recommended an on-field review for a possible red card to Dorgu for the challenge on Hutchinson – with the contact deemed serious foul play. Upon review, the referee issued a red card to Dorgu.”
Due to Dorgu’s reckless challenge leaving his team with 10 men, Ruben Amorim quickly turned to his bench, bringing on Noussair Mazraoui. Consequently, Garnacho was the player substituted.
The Argentine international, who had been a significant threat early on and played a crucial role in the weekend’s comeback against Everton, was understandably displeased. He chose not to remain on the bench in the Manchester rain.
Instead, he walked along the touchline towards the Stretford End and headed into the dressing room.
“What an absolutely ridiculous sub by Ruben,” said one fan on social media. “Killed us taking Garnacho off. No threat in the side at all now!”
Another commented: “Either take Zirkzee off or play Garnacho at wing back.”
And a third said: “Should have been Hojlund off then. Zirkzee up top and Garnacho doing the wing back role. Wrong decision.”
Amorim’s change didn’t necessarily have the desired effect straight away – before half-time, Jayden Philogene’s cross found its way past Andre Onana, giving the Ipswich star his second goal of the game to level the scores.
Rio Ferdinand said: “I was surprised to see Alejandro Garnacho come off [after the red card] because he pushes the team the other way. I worry that Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee won’t be able to push Ipswich back enough to keep the team in the game and to be a threat.”
But Harry Maguire put Man United back in front early in the second half.
