Man Utd's Nemanja Matic caught kneeing West Ham's Vladimir Coufal in the balls | OneFootball

Icon: GiveMeSport

GiveMeSport

·23 September 2021

Man Utd's Nemanja Matic caught kneeing West Ham's Vladimir Coufal in the balls

Article image:Man Utd's Nemanja Matic caught kneeing West Ham's Vladimir Coufal in the balls
Article image:Man Utd's Nemanja Matic caught kneeing West Ham's Vladimir Coufal in the balls

Manchester United are out of the Carabao Cup.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made changes but still fielded an experienced side against West Ham.


OneFootball Videos


A front-three of Jadon Sancho, Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial summed up United’s strong line-up.

Article image:Man Utd's Nemanja Matic caught kneeing West Ham's Vladimir Coufal in the balls

David Moyes also made a plethora of changes as West Ham looked for revenge for Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to United.

Mark Noble would certainly have been determined to make amends as he lined up in midfield, while Andriy Yarmolenko, Manuel Lanzini and Jarrod Bowen also started.

And the only goal of the game was scored after just nine minutes.

Lanzini was the goalscorer but right-back Ryan Fredericks deserves all the credit for a terrific run and pull-back for his teammate to finish.

However, Fredericks picked up an injury while assisting the Argentine and had to be substituted for the impressive Vladimír Coufal.

While Fredericks was the creator of the only goal of the game, his replacement was also involved in a talking point in the match.

However, this time it was rather unsavoury.

Just after half-time, Coufal went to ground under the challenge of Nemanja Matic.

It was only on the replay where it was evident that Matic had actually KNEED Coufal in the testicles.

It really does make the eyes water, doesn’t it?

Many fans on social media believe Matic should be handed a retrospective ban for his actions:

Fortunately for Matic, there is no VAR in the Carabao Cup and he got away scot-free.

Meanwhile, Coufal didn’t appear too hurt from the clash - although he no doubt had a bit of pain for several minutes.

QUIZ: Can you get 12 out of 12 on this Manchester United shirt number quiz?

1 of 12

Article image:Man Utd's Nemanja Matic caught kneeing West Ham's Vladimir Coufal in the balls

What shirt number does Mason Greenwood wear for Manchester United?

10 11 13 16

The loss means Solskjaer’s hunt for his first trophy as United manager goes on and he couldn’t hide his disappointment at full-time.

"It was a poor start and then when we decided that we wanted to join the game we played some good football, loads of shots, loads of pressure, very good attitude, but we lacked a bit," he said.

"Every game is important but you can see by the team selection that we've always used this competition when I've been here at the club to give minutes for ones who need it, it's a long, long season.

"I've never actually won this tournament, that hunt will keep going, it's a trophy I'd like to have. But we've made decisions to get the squad up to speed."

View publisher imprint