Featured Image Credit: Twitter/@SkySportsPL
Topics: Manchester United, Marcus Rashford, Premier League, Brentford
Jack Kenmare
Topics: Manchester United, Marcus Rashford, Premier League, Brentford
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has explained why Marcus Rashford's goal against Brentford was allowed to stand after some fans were convinced it should have been disallowed.
Rashford scored the only goal of the game for Erik ten Hag's side on Wednesday night, as they went on to earn a hardfought three points over their in-form opponents
The 25-year-old forward, who has now scored or assisted 37 goals in all competitions so far this season – his best ever season for goal contributions – was in an offside position when Antony played a cross into the box.
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But because he wasn't interfering in play, the goal stood. That being said, some fans claimed Rashford gained an unfair advantage after coming from an offside position.
Here's how fans reacted to the goal.
One said: "That Rashford goal sums up crapness of new offside rule. Should be offside for me," while another wrote: "Offside. He came form an offside position so he had an advantage."
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A third commented: "Rashford offside the whole time until the ball comes to him? He’s offside from the ball over the top, he’s literally gained an advantage from standing in an offside position, how am I wrong?"
A fourth said: "That’s been given as offside numerous times, but it’s Man Utd. So we’ll all look other way… zero consistency."
A fifth added: "It's onside but shows how hard this rule makes it for defenders. If a defender goes with rashford he plays everyone onside, it's almost impossible to defend."
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Speaking to Sky Sports in the above video segment, however, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher explained why the goal was allowed to stand.
"When I was a referee that would have been flagged for offside," he said.
"But now they allow the play to go on and he clearly does not get involved with play. He does not effect the goalkeeper and there are no defenders around him.
"The ball is played to Sabitzer and when it is, Rashford is back onside. I think it is good as we want to see goals."
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To be fair, it was an intelligent piece of play from Sabitzer, who knew Rashford was in an offside position for the Antony cross. He nodded the ball sideways for United's leading goalscorer to pounce on and he did just that.
Thoughts on the goal? Should it have stood?
Let us know in the comments.