Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off for violent conduct as Manchester United were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw with Tottenham
Manchester United have been given a definitive assessment on Luke Shaw's actions and Rodrigo Bentancur's red card after the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder was dismissed for violent conduct. The 29-year-old received his marching orders in the 78th minute, with United ahead 1-0 courtesy of a Bryan Mbeumo strike.
The Spurs midfielder launched into a challenge on Shaw, prompting the defender to respond by shoving Bentancur. The Spurs player then seemed to make contact with his head against the United full-back, leaving the official with few alternatives but to brandish a red card.
Unfortunately for Michael Carrick's side, they weren't able to hang on as Dominic Solanke scored a late leveller to secure a point.
Discussing the incident on Sky Sports Ref Watch, former official Dermot Gallagher commented: "I think it's a red card. I haven't spoken to many people who think it isn't. I just wonder if it could have been avoided.
"That tackle (Bentancur sliding on Shaw) has got to be punished. If you give a free-kick for that, it all goes away. What follows, though, I think it's a red card."
Jay Bothroyd supported the dismissal but noted both players were fortunate to avoid injury considering their closeness to the advertising boards. Bothroyd said: "If Bentancur was closer to the sideline, he could have hurt himself, which would be dangerous play.
"That first Bentancur challenge should definitely be a booking. He's left the floor; he's out of control. It's an aggressive challenge.
"But by the letter of the law, as soon as you put your head in someone's face, you're gonna get a red card. But I would say Shaw's push is more dangerous than Bentancur's.
"If he's close enough to the touchline, he's flying into them boards. If any of those two challenges catch Shaw, he's coming off the pitch injured."
Former Spurs boss Tim Sherwood also said that he could sympathise with Shaw's frustration at the challenges he faced.
"Two tackles Shaw gets," Sherwood said on Sky Sports News. "Van Hecke comes in, gets away with that one, he jumps in. Then Bentancur comes in, I understand why Shaw got heated.
"I've got to say, has he got to wear shin pads? That might stop him getting injured. Is that not a yellow if you don't wear shin pads. He's got a couple of credit cards in his socks.
"If Shaw gets his toe to the ball there, he gets his leg broken."