Peter Schmeichel was fuming on BBC Radio 5 Live (06/11, 14:08) at Manchester City midfielder Rodri’s tackle on Manchester United defender Luke Shaw in Saturday’s derby.
Pep Guardiola’s Citizens beat the Red Devils 2-0 in a commanding display at Old Trafford to win the Manchester derby.
Going ahead through an Eric Bailly own goal, before star man Bernardo Silva beat David de Gea just before half-time.
The Etihad Stadium natives could have scored more had it not been for De Gea relentlessly morphing into a wall. Standing up to the Citizens, while they caught his defenders cold.
Boos rang around Old Trafford at full-time having been dominated by the visiting Sky Blues. The Citizens able to work their way forward at will, while the Red Devils rarely escaped their own shadows.
Rodri – Shaw contact leaves Schmeichel seething
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sought to spark life into Manchester United’s attacking performance by introducing Marcus Rashford for Mason Greenwood. But told Alex Telles to warm up at the same time, after Rodri and Shaw collided.
Shaw and Rodri challenged each other for possession in the air in the 68th-minute, with the Manchester United defender coming off second best. He was able to continue after brief treatment from the Red Devils’ medical team, albeit slightly groggy at first.
The contact left Schmeichel fuming with Rodri’s involvement, but also referee Michael Oliver for not reviewing the incident.
“I’m not happy with that challenge from Rodri on Luke Shaw, and I’m not happy with Michael Oliver for not checking that on VAR,” Schmeichel fumed.
“I’m not happy with VAR. It was dangerous and reckless.”
Sour note in majestic display for Manchester City’s Rodri
Rodri’s challenge on Shaw that left Schmeichel seething was a sour note in an otherwise majestic display from the £121k-a-week Manchester City midfielder.
The £63m Spaniard ran the show in the centre of the park for Guardiola, winning possession back and spreading passes. Some of his deliveries out wide to Phil Foden proving particularly eye-catching.
He was also constantly calm under pressure, and used his physicality and touch to keep the Sky Blues on the ball. And on course to win.
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