Initially, England saw no issue with Dorgu’s challenge on Omari Hutchinson in the 43rd minute. The forceful tackle left the Ipswich winger needing treatment. ..Continue Reading
However, replays revealed that Dorgu’s tackle was excessively high. Although he appeared to touch the ball, the 20-year-old’s follow-through caught Hutchinson on the shin.
England was advised to review the footage on the pitch-side monitor and ultimately decided it was a red card offence.
This marked a disastrous first start at Old Trafford for the January signing, who had also been involved in an earlier mix-up with goalkeeper Andre Onana.
A statement posted on the Premier League Match Centre X account read: “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.”
The Laws of the Game define serious foul play as: “A tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play.
“Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.”
United had recently clawed back from a goal down to lead 2-1. Miscommunication between Dorgu and Onana allowed Jaden Philogene-Bidace an easy tap-in. A Sam Morsy own goal and Matthijs de Ligt’s first Old Trafford strike gave Ruben Amorim’s side the lead.
However, after Dorgu was sent off, Philogene-Bidace equalized for the visitors. His dangerous inswinging cross bypassed everyone in the United penalty area and found the bottom corner of Onana’s net.
Adding to United and Amorim’s woes, Dorgu will now miss their next three domestic matches after his red card. It is unlikely that the decision will be overturned.
As a result, Dorgu will miss Sunday’s FA Cup clash with Fulham and the highly-anticipated Premier League match against Arsenal at Old Trafford.
His suspension will also see him sidelined for a trip to Leicester on March 16. His next Premier League appearance will be against Nottingham Forest on April 1.
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