Ex-Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo was on Sunday sent off for making a violent tackle on a River Plate player in the dying embers of Argentina’s Superclasico between Boca Juniors and the Buenos Aires side.
Rojo, who developed a reputation at Old Trafford for his extremely aggressive style of play and tackling was back to his usual theatrics, with a wild challenge in the 97th minute with just 30 seconds remaining on the clock.
The 32-year-old, who has surprisingly never been sent off during his time at Old Trafford, was the only player in the heated affair who saw a red card despite ten yellow cards being dished out.
The ball bounced in front of the Argentine, who panicked as his opponent came rushing in.
Rojo came out in a mad rush, leaping in the air with his boot raised.
He flatly caught Nicolas De la Cruz in the face. He was soon given his marching orders.
Marcos Rojo with a kung-fu move in the Superclasico 😳pic.twitter.com/Feoze6MolQ
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) September 12, 2022
Nevertheless, the ex-United player’s side, Boca Juniors, won the game courtesy of a Dario Benedetto goal in the 65th minute of the game.
Unsurprisingly, thousands of United supporters took to social media to joyfully deride their former star.
The reliable Jonathan Shrager on Rojo’s straight card jokingly said, “Rojo getting a straight red with 30 seconds left of a game his team is winning.”
“By his standards, it looked a relatively modest challenge. It only involved one foot, for starters.”
“How Marcos never got a red card for United remains one of football, and life’s, great mysteries.”
Rojo getting a straight red with 30 seconds left of a game his team is winning😄
And by his standards, it looked a relatively modest challenge. It only involved one foot, for starters. How Marcos never got a red card for United remains one of football, and life’s, great mysteries— Jonas Hen Shrag (@JonathanShrager) September 12, 2022
Rojo spent seven years at The Theatre of Dreams, between 2014 and 2021.
Initially bought by Louis Van Gaal, the Argentine centre-back won the Europa League and a Carabao Cup before leaving under Ole Gunnar Solksjaer.
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