‘What really worries me…’ – Ex-refs chief: Man United star could have been sent off vs Liverpool, ‘keep an eye on him’
Ruben Amorim might have counted himself lucky to finish with 11 Man United players on the pitch against Liverpool.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that had Michael Oliver not been in charge, a red card might have been issued at Anfield.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Patrick Dorgu both avoided cautions as the two clashed towards the end of proceedings on Sunday, 19 October, which was concluded by a surprise winner.
Harry Maguire rose highest to head home in the 84th minute, sealing an unexpected win away from Old Trafford, started off by the most controversial moments as Bryan Mbeumo scored after just two minutes.
Casemiro could have been handed his marching orders at Anfield
To add to the drama, Hackett now believes that, on a different day, Casemiro could have been sent off for his challenge on Mohamed Salah. It was probably a good thing that he pulled up injured straight after.
It has only been a little over a month since Casemiro was red-carded against Chelsea, which threw away the Red Devils’ advantage after Robert Sanchez was sent off for the Blues.
While they managed to secure all three points that day, the same might not have been said had he been sent for an early bath at Anfield, with the Reds pressing all game for an equaliser, and then a winner.
Hackett has now warned referees, and Casemiro’s manager, to keep an eye on the Brazilian veteran, who appears to have a “streak” in him that comes alive in reckless challenges.
Premier League referees told to watch out for Man United midfielder
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “He’s got a bit of a streak in him that, as a referee, you’d keep an eye on him when he’s challenging for the ball. You learn who needs watching and who doesn’t.
“I wouldn’t want to curb any player’s enthusiasm, but there is no doubt that, when he challenged, as his manager, I’d say ‘right, you’re coming off’. It’s a borderline one.
“When you’ve got a game like that, you’re not going to give a cheap booking. It was absolutely a yellow, nailed on. In another game, it might have been more. What really worries me is that when a yellow card is show, there is no interaction between referee and player.
“I’d have stopped the game, given the yellow card, might have even pulled the captain across and said it was borderline, but now he’s on a tightrope. I just want more reinforcement.”