Manchester United can count themselves fortunate not to be have seen a third red card in successive games.

Marcus Rashford was a lucky boy after the referee decided not to show him a second yellow, just moments after receiving his first.

Rashford was hooked by Ten Hag in the second halfAFP

The forward was booked for cynically fouling Youri Tielemans before committing a similar foul moments later.

However, the referee spoke to captain Bruno Fernandes indicating that it was perhaps Rashford’s last chance before getting a second yellow.

Just moments later, Erik ten Hag substituted Rashford to bring on Antony

“Marcus Rashford was definitely on a final public warning,” talkSPORT’s Ian Danter reported from Villa Park.

“He clipped the heels of Leon Bailey. The referee did think about it.”

Sky Sport’s Jamie Carragher said: “He is very lucky. He knows he can’t get the ball. That should be a second yellow and Manchester United should be down to ten men.

“Rashford knew the player had gone past him. He was almost tripping him up.”

Fans were baffled as to why he did not see his marching orders.

One fan wrote on X: “How’s Rashford survived that second yellow?”

Another said: “Two lazy tackles from Rashford there.”

A third wrote: “The discipline and awareness in this team is dreadful. On a yellow why is Rashford sticking his leg out like that. Don’t risk it!”

A fourth added: “The referee fully bottled it.”

Bruno Fernandes saw red in the last two Man United games, but his one against Tottenham was rescinded.

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