Marcus Rashford has apologised for the red card he picked up during Manchester United’s 2-0 win at Burnley, admitting that “emotions got the better of me”.
Rashford appeared to head butt Phil Bardsley in the 71st minute of Sunday’s Premier League clash after the Burnley defender had kicked out at the United substitute, who had been on the pitch for just 10 minutes.
The incident sparked an ugly melee between the two teams before referee Jon Moss booked Bardsley and showed Rashford a straight red.
“Emotions got the better of me,” Rashford tweeted afterwards. “I shouldn’t have reacted like that. Sorry to everyone at the club and all the fans.”
Manager Jose Mourinho labelled Rashford “a naïve boy” in the wake of the win but also suggested that Bardsley went fishing for a reaction.
United beat Burnley despite Rashford red to lift pressure off Mourinho
“I would say it was naive,” Mourinho said. “It was a kid and a very experienced man. Bardsley’s been in the game for 20 years and Marcus is a naive boy.
“Moss had a good game, a good performance, really. I think the same as the two assistants.
“In that action, the only thing I can say is that probably the experience of Bardsley against the impulse and naivety of a guy that is in top football for about three years but is still a young kid.
“Harsh? I don’t know. It could be a yellow card for both and keep going.”