Racing Club centre-back Marcos Rojo was sent off for punching a River Plate player in a heated 2-0 defeat on Sunday night, before unleashing a furious barrage of insults at the referee.
Marcos Rojo left Manchester United in February 2021 after completing a transfer to Boca Juniors in Argentina.
The Argentine defender arrived at Old Trafford from Sporting CP in August 2014, making 122 appearances for United and winning three major trophies.
Rojo, 36, left Boca Juniors last summer before signing a one-year deal at Racing Club.
Marcos Rojo shown red card against River Plate
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Marcos Rojo loses his cool against River Plate
Rojo had a night he will want to forget on Sunday after being sent off for punching an opponent as Racing Club suffered a 2-0 defeat against River Plate.
In his 17th outing for the club, in the Argentine Primera Division, Rojo was involved in the build-up for River Plate’s opening goal before getting sent off in the 80th minute.
An off-the-ball incident saw Rojo swing his arm into the face of River Plate defender Lucas Martinez Quarta, while Racing Club were chasing a goal.
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The referee was urged to review the incident on the pitchside monitor because he was unaware of what happened between Rojo and Martinez Quarta.
Rojo was shown a straight red card before protesting angrily and requiring an escort off the pitch with some help from his teammates.
According to TyC Sports, Rojo also received a harsh report from the referee that could result in a several-match suspension, detailing the insults the defender hurled at him.
This could lead to an extension of his three-match suspension from the red card.
Rojo also earned a yellow card after confronting the referee after the first half, disputing a penalty shout before one of River Plate’s goals.
The report states Rojo is in “serious trouble” for both the blow to the River Plate defender and the insults to the referee.
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Man Utd players stayed away from Marcos Rojo in training
In 2019, United left back Luke Shaw admitted players stayed away from Rojo in training because of his studs-up challenges.
Speaking on Soccer AM, as cited by the Manchester Evening News, Shaw was asked which United player brings the most aggression to training.
“It’s got to be Marcos Rojo,” Shaw said.
“Honestly, no-one goes near him in training. He’s the sort of tough cookie in the team,” Shaw said.
“In training, he’s probably on the floor 90 per cent of the time, slide tackling everyone with his studs up, so everyone knows to stay away from him.
“But it’s just one of them, you’ve just got to allow it because it’s the way he is.
“But people like that aggression, it’s sometimes needed — but not as aggressive as that. But he’s a nice one to have on your team.”
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