Leicester City star 'very, very lucky' to avoid injury against Manchester United

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher believes Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay was "very, very lucky" not to receive a red card against Leicester City.

The Scotland international was only shown a yellow card for a lunge on James Maddison minutes into the second half. City's playmaker received attention from the club's physios but remained on the field to assist Kelechi Iheanacho's opener.

McTominay, though, didn't finish the match regardless after being withdrawn by interim Man United manager Ralf Rangnick mere minutes after being booked. Maddison's one-time England teammate Marcus Rashford replaced the midfielder before the hour mark at Old Trafford.

Gallagher wasn't in agreement with the on-field decision, telling Sky Sports (via the Manchester Evening News): "I think he's very, very lucky. When you're a referee, one of the things you're taught from an early age when a player loses the ball with a heavy touch which he (McTominay) does then lunges for the ball is 'prepare, don't judge but prepare'.

"Warning bells should be there, watch the player and if you watch him, he's gone at speed, intensity and he's caught Maddison. Maddison's very, very lucky he didn't sustain an injury because his foot is off the ground, I think he's very, very lucky.

"For me, yes (it was a red card). The speed, intensity, the way he's lunged and I think the boot on boot comes because Maddison's foot is off the ground which is lucky for him.

"But, the VAR has looked at it and I don't think this is a case of clear and obvious, I think it's subjective because the referee has seen it and it's not a red card. That doesn't mean the VAR can't upgrade it to a red card, he may feel the same as the referee in his mind so that's