MANCHESTER UNITED’S season of mayhem and madness ended in a crazy flurry of red cards and red mist – as Aston Villa missed out on the Champions League in hugely controversial fashion.
First Villa keeper Emi Martinez got his marching orders for a jaw-dropping body check on Rasmus Hojlund after racing from his area.
And then just when Villa thought they had snatched a goal to put them in touching distance of a Champions League slot, Morgan Rogers saw his would-be winner dramatically KO’d.
Rogers pounced to spin and shoot into an unguarded net from an angle, after Altay Bayindir appeared to let the ball slip from his grasp as he went to smother Harry Maguire’s wayward header.
But referee Thomas Bramall had blown for a foul – kicking the ball from his hands – before the Villa striker turned to finish the chance.
And even though replays suggested it could easily have been an incorrect call, the fact he had whistled before Rogers’ shot meant VAR Stuart Attwell could not get involved.
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Even then a point may have been enough for Villa, who had sneaked into fifth place courtesy of Everton going ahead at Newcastle.
But 15 minutes from the end, Bruno Fernandes floated a cross to the far post that cried out to be finished – and Amad Diallo’s header made sure it was.
To be fair, it was a lead United had merited in a game they had dominated long, long before they had a man advantage.
Casemiro, Diogo Dalot, Fernandes and Amad had all gone close to putting them ahead… and that was before we even got to half-time.
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By the time we did, Villa were down to ten, thanks to that crazy Martinez moment, caused by Matty Cash’s woefully short backpass.
As Hojlund hared on to the loose ball, the Villa keeper darted from his goal and smashed into his red-shirted opponent.
Referee Bramall was pointing the way to the dressing room almost before he arrived on the scene.
Amazingly, Martinez stood with arms outstretched, protesting his innocence.
Clearly, with the plea that Hojlund was heading away from goal… and he certainly was by the time the South American had finished with him.
Of course, it wouldn’t have been United if they still hadn’t made heavy weather of it even then, as if intent on finishing their chaotic campaign with another cock-up.
But then, five minutes from time, Ian Maatsen clipped Amad’s heels on the right edge of the box and Christian Eriksen – in his final game for United – buried the penalty.
Villa chief Unai Emery applauded sarcastically at what he felt was another shocking call against his side.
But he would be better served focusing on the shocking one his keeper made.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
