Aleksandar Mitrovic ‘lost his side of the game’ as Manchester United legend Roy Keane has ‘no sympathy’ for Fulham after FA Cup collapse
talkSPORT pundit Micky Gray believes Fulham’s loss to Manchester United was due to Aleksandar Mitrovic being sent off.
The striker’s dismissal was part of a dramatic FA Cup meltdown at Old Trafford which saw him, team-mate Willian and manager Marco Silva sent off after the Red Devils were awarded a penalty.
Mitrovic pushed referee Kavanagh after Willian’s red card
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He had no choice but to sack the Fulham man as well
Fulham led United 1-0 in the quarter-final thanks to Mitrovic’s goal early in the second half, but the hosts were awarded a penalty for Willian’s handball on the goal line.
Silva was shown a red card for his protests, with Mitrovic receiving the same punishment for his push on referee Chris Kavanagh as Fulham lost 3-1.
The Serb lost his mind in reaction to Willian’s sending off, and former England international Gray says he lost Fulham the game.
He told talkSPORT: “For Aleksandar Mitrovic, your talisman, your star man, to show up to get in touch with the referee, just about spread his arm out and then say what he said to the referee. .
“Again, no doubt in the referee’s mind, he had to give him a red card, equalize but, even if they score the penalty and Willian is sent off, you are only ten down. men, you are still in the FA Cup quarter-final.
“You still have a chance to get through to the semi-final, they blew that tie completely out the window and gave United, who were poor today, a lifeline to go play at Wembley against Brighton.”
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This would be the start of the Cottagers’ collapse at Old Trafford
He added: “Mitrovic lost his mind, he should have been still on the pitch. He played very well in the second half, he could have won the draw for them with those two headers he had.
“Now by this send-off he lost his side of the game, he really did. The header is completely gone.
Fellow talkSPORT Alex Crook also said: “Mitrovic is a disgrace because of what he did to the referee.
“Mitrovic will now rightly face a very long suspension and it will also likely derail Fulham’s bid for a place in Europe.”
It was a spectacular collapse for Fulham, who were the better team before chaos ensued.
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Fernandes’ penalty inspired United’s progress to the semi-finals
Former United captain Roy Keane, who had his fair share of hot moments as a player, was far from sympathetic, however.
Keane told ITV: “Crazy 90 seconds and it cost them the game.
“I have no sympathy for Fulham. They won’t get any applause from me. They had an opportunity and they squandered it.
Bruno Fernandes scored from the spot to equalize for United before Marcel Sabitzer gave them the header moments later.
Fernandes scored his third of the game to send Fulham out of the FA Cup.
United’s victory propelled them into the semi-finals, where they will face fellow Premier League opponents Brighton at Wembley. Manchester City take on Championship side Sheffield United in the other tie.
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