Marcus Rashford's act at the latter stage of Manchester United's clash with Burnley almost ruined a perfect day. The 20-year-old forward, after replacing Alexis Sanchez in the 61st minute, made an instant impact by winning a penalty for his side although Paul Pogba, for the first time this season, failed to convert.
However, the youngster's day headed south just 10 minutes into his appearance at the Turf Moor. The Manchester United No. 10, after a tangle on the ground with Burnley's Phil Bardsley, stood up and subtly head-butted the defender.
Although there wasn't much to it, Rashford was given his marching orders by referee Jonathan Moss as per the regulations of the league. This, as a result, provoked a hostile response from Manchester United fans on Twitter who perceived the forward's act as totally uncalled for.
1 - Marcus Rashford is the first substitute to be sent off for Manchester United in the Premier League since Marouane Fellaini against Hull City in May 2015. Red.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 2, 2018
Despite the handicap, the performance of the Old Trafford outfit did not falter as they hanged on to clinch the team's second victory of the season kind courtesy Romelu Lukaku's first-half brace.
Poor judgement by Rashford to allow Bardsley to get in his head like that. Deserved the red card. HOWEVER Phil Bardsley kicked Rashford, subsequently leading to the kid losing his head - and he headbutted Rashford too; both deserved to be sent off! Why only Rashford? @FA pic.twitter.com/QYBL0x06br
— Hêlîn (@MUnitedGirl) September 2, 2018
Strange second half. Alexis subbed needlessly and stupid from Rashford to make it 10 men. It was also really selfish from Pogba to not give Lukaku the penalty on a hat trick and close the game off. #mufc
— Hesham Bilal-Hafiz (@hesham786) September 2, 2018
Difference between Martial and Rashford in that red card situation is this pic.twitter.com/CvDBfcecO1
— :izer (@boymaison) September 2, 2018
That was awful from Rashford, absolutely stupid. No need for it at all, disastrous 5 minutes and he probably won't play against for the next few months. Silly from him.
— Devils of United (@DevilsOfUnited) September 2, 2018
Marcus Rashford saw that Mbappe got a red card yesterday and said he wants to do the same. Can't blame him
— FutbolBible (@FutbolBible) September 2, 2018
Lmao Rashford ego of Ronaldo , plays football like djemba djemba
— Tope Ajet (@TopeAjet) September 2, 2018
Rashford subsequently attracted a little chastizing from Jose Mourinho in his post-match presser with the Portuguese manager labelling him as a "naive boy".
"I don't know what happened. I would say it was naive."
"It was a kid and a very experienced man. Bardsley's been in the game for 20 years and Marcus is a naive boy," Mourinho declared.
