download All Football App

Owen slams Rashford and Varane for turning their backs in the wall

  /  autty

Michael Owen has criticised Manchester United's Marcus Rashford and Raphael Varane for the way in which they defended a free-kick against Leeds.

Having been two goals down, Manchester United came back to 2-2, with Rashford and Jadon Sancho scoring.

However, Leeds had an opportunity to make it 3-2, with Brenden Aaronson's free-kick hitting the post.

Rashford and Varane had turned their backs and split from the wall, which infuriated United goalkeeper David de Gea.

Former United forward Owen was also bewildered by the incident, describing Rashford and Varane's actions as 'criminal.'

Speaking on Premier League Productions, Owen said: 'I couldn't believe it, I couldn't believe this wall.

'Look a this the way they split – Varane and Rashford they just split – the ball goes low, right through the middle, it didn't go over the wall at all.

'If that goes in, and they both turn away, that's criminal, that's criminal. I mean, if that goes in there's serious, serious words being had after.

'You simply cannot do that. You need to be big, brave and bold in a wall and to turn your back and split – everything you cannot do they did there.

'They've got away with it. They better look at that and think, 'wow, that's pretty embarrassing, we can't do that again'.'

United looked in danger of losing the game after Wilfried Gnonto's early strike and an own goal from Varane put Leeds in the ascendancy.

However, Erik ten Hag's team showed good spirit to get a point at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag will be aware that his team won't always be able to get away with such a slack start. Manchester United will be determined to take all three points when they face Leeds again on Sunday.