Anthony Martial has told Jan Bednarek he does not deserve to be sent off following the dismissal of the Southampton defender for allegedly tripping him in the late box in Manchester United’s 9-0 win on Tuesday night.
In a game that is not lacking in drama, Alexandre Jankewitz also received a red card within two minutes of his first Premier League start for a horrific tackle on Scott McTominay. United were quick to assert their man advantage after that, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Marcus Rashford both scoring before the half hour mark.
Bednarek then crossed his own net and Edinson Cavani nodded to ensure the hosts entered the break 4-0. A two-minute double salute from Martial and McTominay then went 6-0 with 20 minutes left.
The game seemed to run out of steam after that, only for controversy to erupt in the finals. Martial freeing himself in the area, Bednarek got in his way, and despite withdrawing a challenge, the Frenchman fell.
Mike Dean initially allowed a penalty, but after a VAR check he also gave the Saints defenseman a straight red card. Bednarek was visibly aggrieved by the decision and while walking through the tunnel he could be heard on BT Sport coverage saying, “It’s not a fault. Martial said it wasn’t a fault! ”
“Martial said it wasn’t a fault!”
Jan Bednarek was not happy with the decision that saw him expelled? pic.twitter.com/GxhGv8ncu1
– Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 2, 2021
The next penalty was converted by Bruno Fernandes, Martial and Daniel James adding extra goals to bring the score to 9-0.
The humiliating result equaled the record for the largest winning margin in Premier League history. It was also the second time Southampton had scored nine unanswered goals in as many seasons, with Leicester scoring them the same last October.
