Manchester United has been informed that Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino was fortunate to avoid punishment after stepping on Alejandro Garnacho during the second half of the match on Sunday.
Initially, the incident appeared to be harmless as Garnacho remained on the ground while Merino and Casemiro contested for the ball. However, video replays revealed that the midfielder had made contact with the back of the Argentine’s leg.
Numerous players have been issued red cards for comparable actions, yet former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher acknowledged that, despite its concerning nature, it would not qualify as a red card offense. He stated, “I believe the referee, if he were to issue a card, would likely opt for a yellow,” during his analysis on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch.
“It doesn’t look good but I don’t think it is a red card. You see Casemiro gives him a kick as well, so he gets booted by two players.
“It is unfortunate that the ball gets tangled up but sometimes it is almost best for the referee in that situation [to let play continue]. What does help Garnacho is that Merino stands on his boot and not his ankle.”
Arsenal felt they should have had a penalty of their own when they were pushing for a winner after Ayden Heaven had the ball hit his arm in the area. However, Gallagher was quick to dismiss the Gunners’ appeals.
“He heads it onto his own arm and then goes to clear the ball but not a penalty, it can’t be given for that,” he added. “Nobody will give a penalty for that.”