MANCHESTER UNITED fans raged at Jack Stephens for his reckless challenge on Alejandro Garnacho.
The Southampton defender was given his marching orders for a horror tackle on the Argentina international in the 79th minute of the St Mary’s showdown.
Stephens, 30, scythed down the winger with a ridiculously high challenge, catching his right knee with his studs.
The tackle, which came as Saints were 2-0 down, left Garnacho in agony.
The Manchester United bench leapt up in anger, although referee Stuart Atwell took his time before giving Stephens his marching orders.
But the straight red didn’t calm down the Old Trafford faithful, one of who wrote on X: “Nasty challenge on Garnacho.”
Another said: “Stupid as well as dangerous from Jack Stephens.”
And another said: “Jack Stephens with a horrendous tackle. Rightfully sent off.”
One remarked: “Disgusting.”
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
Another chimed in: “F**k off down the tunnel, Jack Stephens.”
Most read in Football
Former Chelsea and England star Joe Cole had a pitchside view for the tackle and reckons Atwell had no choice but to send Stephens for an early shower.
The TNT Sports pundit said: “It looked horrendous from my angle. You knew he weren’t getting away from him.
“As a centre-half, Stephens doesn’t want to be there. Garnacho knocked the ball [past him].
“And he’s done it, Fletch, right in front of the Manchester United bench.
“And they’ve all jumped up and rightly so.
“The ref seen that and I feel the ref actually showed a lot of restraint in not giving it straight away and giving himself time to think.
“But for me, it’s an easy straight red.”
Things went from bad to worse for Stephens and Southampton in the 96th minute as Garnacho bagged United’s third and final goal of the match.
Defeat to the Red Devils has extended Russell Martin’s troops’ winless start to the season and left them toiling in 19th place in the table.
After the match, a jubilant Ten Hag said: “The start was not easy.
“I think the penalty was the turning point in the game and not so far after we scored and that was very important. From that moment on, the game was all ours.”
Reflecting on Rashford’s ending of his drought, the Dutchman said: “It’s very important.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
“For every striker, they want to be on the scoring list. Once the first is in, more is coming.
“Once a striker was talking about a ketchup bottle, once it’s going, it’s coming more.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
