With Zlatan Ibrahimovic out for the rest of the season, and even much longer than that, Manchester United are without the only consistent goal scorer that they have had this season. Ibrahimovic has been far and away the Red Devils most prolific scoring option, but Marcus Rashford is a promising young striker who can, the Red Devils hope, fill it up as well.
Well he didn’t score today in United’s 1-1 draw with relegation fodder Swansea City, but he did win the Red Devils a penalty, albeit by very controversial means.
Most of the footy world believes Marcus Rashford committed a blatant dive, and Swansea City Manager Paul Clement came right out and accused him.
“My players clearly thought it wasn’t a penalty, and seeing the replay the player [Marcus Rashford] has deceived the referee. It’s clear. There’s no other way to look at it,” said Clement.
I guested on the @TDunneSoccer Show. Covered many topics including #cf97 #chicagofire #chiweinsteiger #MUFC #GGMU https://t.co/3tUeQXGXVA
— Paul M. Banks (@PaulMBanks) April 28, 2017
“The ref seemed to have some doubts because there was a big delay and I spoke to him afterwards and he said he was only receiving confirmation from his assistants. It was a mistake. He went down way before there was contact.”
What do you think? Take a look below (never mind the commentary from a Liverpool fan in the tweet, just focus on the slow motion video footage of the play):
I have slowed down this clip 8 times over @MarcusRashford DIVE with Halloween theme SHOCKING DIVE pic.twitter.com/99vAyeqaQb
— scarface (@D10_LFC) April 30, 2017
The play led to a bunch of people having fun with it on social media, here’s a small smattering.
@MarcusRashford has been selected for the @TeamGB diving team, congratulations Marcus, you must be so proud #Swans pic.twitter.com/Dj2o14LT9M
— Simon Roberts (@taffysarmy) April 30, 2017
Marcus Rashford heat map. pic.twitter.com/XrEmhp55aE
— AnfieldUrchin (@AnfieldUrchin) April 30, 2017
Man United have finally found the next Ronaldo in Marcus Rashford pic.twitter.com/55qzeUUQ64
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) April 30, 2017
There is of course an opposite side to every story, and United Manager Jose Mourinho offered the counterpoint:
“I don’t have a view because I didn’t watch, and I have Marcus’ opinion and he said that the goalkeeper touched him.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes to WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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