Shea Lacey was shown a red card in Manchester United's FA Cup defeat to Brighton with a new referee verdict provided on the incident that led to his dismissal
Manchester United have been handed a fresh referee verdict on Shea Lacey's red card
Manchester United have been handed a fresh referee verdict on Shea Lacey's red card(Image: (Martin Rickett/PA Wire))
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Manchester United have been told by a former Premier League referee that Shea Lacey should not have been sent off in the FA Cup tie against Brighton. The 18-year-old winger was introduced just after the hour-mark at Old Trafford, but his cameo ended abruptly courtesy of a second yellow card.
His first caution arrived from Simon Hooper following a late challenge on Yasin Ayari, with his second coming moments later for his reaction to committing another foul. Upon learning of the decision, he threw the ball into the ground which saw Hooper pull out the red card.
Several verdicts have been issued on the controversial incident, which left Lacey holding back tears, with interim head coach Darren Fletcher left furious by his dismissal. And Mark Clattenburg, who spent 17 years refereeing in the Premier League, is the latest to give his thoughts on the major talking point.
Speaking via United in Focus, he said: "Shea Lacey was sent off against Brighton, not for the tackle, but for his reaction at throwing the ball to the ground in disagreement at Simon Hooper's decision. To the letter of the law, it's the correct decision.
"But it shows how the game has changed. I would prefer the referee to warn the player to calm down and manage the situation." Lacey will now serve a one-match suspension which rules him out of featuring for United in the Manchester derby this weekend.
Having exited the FA Cup at the first hurdle, it is only Premier League games left for United after their Carabao Cup elimination at the hands of Grimsby Town.
After United's latest setback, Fletcher said: "True character reveals itself in difficult times. You know in difficult times true character is going to show so they have to dig and make sure they want to be part of Manchester United's future.
"And ultimately, if you're not, then I don't think you should be here or will be here. It sounds strong, but that's just the reality and the way it should be."
On the predicament facing United, Fletcher added: "That is where we're at, we can't hide behind that.
Manchester United interim head coach Darren Fletcher reacts
Darren Fletcher is winless from his two games in charge of Manchester United(Image: Getty Images)
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"We've got to face that and we've got to deal with that and it's not Manchester United level or what's expected of Manchester United.
"The players have to group together, take responsibility. Find a way of improving quickly and taking on the challenge for the rest of the season. Don't waste the season."
Fletcher later revealed he has not been told whether or not he will be in charge for the league clash against Manchester City, though that does look unlikely following the latest next manager development.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick are the final candidates that could take temporary charge with the latter currently as the frontrunner. It has also been claimed that an announcement could be made as early as today.
According to the Guardian, Solskjaer met with director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada over the weekend while Carrick held discussions with the duo on Thursday.