Marcus Rashford raged at not being given what could have been a crucial choice, insisting that Manchester United's draw at Barcelona "felt like a loss."
In their Europa League round of 32 match, Man United came back from a goal down to take the lead as Rashford shined, first scoring United's equalizer and then bursting down the right before forcing Jules Kounde to score into his own net to give the visitors the lead.
Raphinha, an ex-Leeds winger, equalized for the visitors to secure a 2-2 draw, but Rashford was brought down by Kounde as he raced through on goal with the score at 2-1. The incident occurred just outside the area, according to replays, but Kounde wasn't penalized or granted a free kick.
“It feels like a loss," Rashford told BT Sport.
"I think we did well to get back into the game but we stayed calm and composed, and created chances when we could."
“We felt in control of the outcome after scoring two goals in quick succession but we just couldn’t hold on. We were searching for chances more after half-time and I felt like we were going for it a bit more, especially after going behind," he stated.
“My goal? It’s difficult to find an angle to finish from there so I just tried to get as clean a contact as I could and thankfully it went in."
On the decision, he added: “It is a massive moment in the game and in the moment I did not understand why the assistant or the referee thinks I’m going down there."
"I touched it past him and I am going through and he clips my leg. It is clear contact. It was 100 percent a foul, even if it was outside the box.”
Manchester United's manager Erik Ten Hag was happy with his side despite the draw.
"I think we dictated the game, apart from maybe 15 minutes in the first half, we had some difficulties, but in the rest we were dictating the game and we had so many chances," he said.
"I was a little bit disappointed that at half-time it was 0-0 because we should have scored and the opportunities they had we created by ourselves. But I think it was a great game. Two attacking teams. I think it was a Champions League game, even more than that, so I really enjoyed the game. In the end [it finished] 2-2, and we have to finish it in Old Trafford."
"We have a lot of character and determination in this team. The belief we had to score the first goal and the meaning of the first goal is so important and that's what we didn't do it."
"Then we turn around when are down, and I also think the refereeing had a big influence in this game. I think it's a clear foul on Rashy,"
"You can discuss if it's in our outside the box, but then it's a red card because he was one-on-one with the goalkeeper. It's a big influence, not only on this game but in this round, and referees can't make such mistakes."
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