Michael Owen believes Marcus Rashford is to blame for Phil Foden’s equaliser in the Manchester derby. The Manchester United attacker, who opened the scoring with a stunning goal, was immediately held partially responsible for Manchester City’s equaliser.

During a contest for a long ball with Kyle Walker, the England striker went down easily and thought he should have been fouled. As the game progressed, Foden let loose at the other end to tie the score.

Rashford was understandably outraged by the decision, and Erik ten Hag was arrested for his outburst. However, there was little case for the couple, and Owen believes it cost them dearly.

“I thought it was correct; nothing was given,” he told Optus Sport. “I’m not sure why Marcus Rashford tried to run across his guy to begin with; he wasn’t even in possession of the ball. Surely you have to control the ball first, then cut over your man.

“I think it was termed exactly right. In fact, he would have been back in this position (defending the Foden goal) to perhaps cut the ball out. He has been resting on the ground for a minute or so. If he was back in, his position should still be there, assuming he wasn’t lying on the floor before. So he may have been able to avoid that goal.”

Paul Scholes believes Walker’s quickness played a psychological factor in the incident, with Rashford just not wanting to go one-on-one with his England teammate. “I thought he was just worried about Kyle Walker,” Scholes remarked.

“He forgot about the ball and thought, ‘I need to get in front of Kyle Walker.’” This happened two or three times. He’s aware of Kyle Walker. Kyle Walker, at the moment, has that effect on people because he is so swift.”

Following the game, Ten Hag decided there was enough contact to warrant a foul. He told Sky Sports: “It is very debatable; I believe there was contact, and it is a defining moment in the game.” Also, at 2-1, City’s goalie acts recklessly. It was gentle, but when you’re in a full sprint and get a tiny touch, you break your rhythm, which is why he fell.”

Walker was also asked about his thoughts on the situation, but, predictably, he downplayed the issue. “To be totally honest, I haven’t looked back at it. I didn’t think there was much in it. I felt like I did what I always do and got my arm across, but the referee saw it and checked it on the VAR, and they simply have to take it as such, and we’ve gone up the other end; that’s sods law, isn’t it?”