ReDArmy

Manchester United FC Supporters Club Website

Bruno Fernandes’ goal with Marcus Rashford removed looks rather interesting

Fernandes, from an onside position, swept the ball past Ederson from Casemiro’s through ball.

What’s the problem?

Well, the problem as far as Manchester City were concerned was that Marcus Rashford was offside.

And while he didn’t touch the ball, the fact he ran towards the ball and only pulled out of touching it when he saw Bruno out of the corner of his eye.

Did he touch it? No.

Did he interfere? Well, that’s certainly open to debate.

Most importantly, the officials – and VAR – decided that Rashford didn’t impact the play and the goal was eventually allowed to stand.

It’s a subjective decision and it’s quite difficult to know the impact of Rashford’s presence on the defending of Manuel Akanji and the positioning of Ederson.

Perhaps the best way to think about the goal is would it be any different if Rashford hasn’t been there at all? Would the City defence have defended differently without his ‘interference’ and just concentrated their efforts on Fernandes?

Well, some Man City fans have attempted to take a look at the goal without Rashford there. That’s right, they’ve gone through the trouble of photoshopping Rashford out of the images.

Okay, it’s a pretty extreme way to deal with a controversial decision that has gone against your team. But it’s a pretty interesting one.

What is Rashford was removed from the equation?

There are numerous photoshopped images on Twitter but perhaps the best is from user @BlueCityBrain. Their photoshopped image with Rashford is taken as the ball rolls towards Fernandes with Akanji attempting to get back.

They believe the still image proves two things as they write: “Remove rashford out. Play is 100% changed: A) Akanji would get to the ball B) Edersons entire positioning is wrong based on an offside player Refs got it majorly wrong and either cost us the full 3 points or at least 1 point. No one should be trying to justify this.”

While we don’t think it’s quite as conclusive as that, it’s certainly interesting. And many football fans have reacted to the doctored screenshot, believing it suggests the goal should have been disallowed:

The goal helped turned the Manchester derby on its head.

Minutes later, United were 2-1 ahead as Rashford – this time from an onside position – turned the ball home from Alejandro Garnacho’s low cross.

United moved to within a point of their city rivals as their incredible transformation under Erik ten Hag continued.

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