Referee Stuart Attwell should be 'relieved of his duties' after Marcel Sabitzer's challenge on Wout Faes went unpunished

BBC pundit Garth Crooks has brutally slammed referee Stuart Attwell and VAR after Marcel Sabitzer’s shock challenge in Manchester United’s 3-0 win over Leicester City.

Goals from Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho sealed a comfortable win for the Red Devils at Old Trafford on Sunday, with United strengthening their top-four position.

Sabitzer, who completed a deadline-day loan move from Bayern Munich in January, started in the United midfield alongside Fred.

United manager Erik ten Hag was without Casemiro due to the former Real Madrid star’s three-match ban and Christian Eriksen has been ruled out due to injury.

During the Leicester match, Wout Faes lunged in for the loose ball only for Sabitzer to connect with his studs up in a reckless challenge.

Sabitzer luckily managed to escape a red card from Attwell, but Crooks believes the referee “should be relieved of his duties” over the controversial decision.

Speaking in his BBC Sport column, Crooks said: “Premier League referee Stuart Attwell should be relieved of his duties.

“He allowed Manchester United’s Marcel Sabitzer to remain on the pitch after the worst tackle I have seen in years and without so much as a caution.

“What made matters worse, Attwell then booked Leicester City’s Nampalys Mendy, having made not one, but two, perfectly legitimate tackles.

🗣️ "That's a red card"

Graeme Souness believes Man Utd are lucky to still have 11 players on the pitch! 🟥 pic.twitter.com/V2bYMW7krw

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 19, 2023

“Of course, it is the referee’s opinion that ultimately matters, but if a top-class official cannot distinguish between a ‘career-threatening tackle’ and two perfectly legitimate challenges, then that referee has no business officiating in the top league in the world.

“Top professional players deserve referees who know the difference between a good and a very bad tackle.”

United are third in the league table and are three points behind second-place Manchester City and five points adrift of league leaders Arsenal.

Ten Hag’s men will now resume their Europa League campaign on Thursday when they welcome Barcelona to Old Trafford for their second-leg playoff clash.

READ MORE:

• Man United ‘set audacious asking price for Scott McTominay,’ it is based on his ‘experience in Premier League’
• Man United star Marcus Rashford receives surprising odds in race for 2023 Ballon d’Or award
• Man United have slapped ridiculous price tag on Marcus Rashford after blistering form