Video:
https://www.manutd.com/en/news/deta...n-barlow-discuss-penalty-in-uefa-youth-league
Manchester United drew 2-2 with Juventus in the UEFA Youth League on Wednesday, but there was an unusual incident in the lead-up to the Reds' second equaliser, scored by Aidan Barlow.
Nicky Butt's side managed to draw level for a second time, courtesy of the penalty, but the coach felt that Barlow was placed under added pressure due to a delay in taking the kick.
Turkish referee Hamit Ulil Meler allowed Juve to make a double substitution after Mason Greenwood was fouled inside the box, and it was not something that usually tends to happen. There appears to be no rule against such a change, and goalkeepers, for instance, are changed if they are sent off (with an outfield player making way) but it did appear to be a little unsportsmanlike to not wait until the spot-kick had been taken.
Thankfully, Barlow kept his composure to ultimately earn a very good point for the table-topping Reds but it did prompt a lot of post-match debate.
“I'm not sure about that,” Butt told
MUTV afterwards. “I'm actually not sure if it is a rule or not. I couldn't tell you but it was a bit bizarre. If it's not a rule, it needs to get changed. You could make three substitutions and be stood there for another three or four minutes. So it was bizarre really but it's unfair to comment as I don't know if it's a rule or not.
”If it is, the referee would have pulled it but, if it's not, something should be looked at to make it a rule. You could have three substitutions while the lad is waiting to take the penalty and that's not right.
“He tucked it away well, which was pleasing when he was under pressure.”
Barlow was happy to ignore any of the fuss and concentrate on beating home skipper Leonardo Loria from the spot, to continue a good record from 12 yards.
“I wanted to take it,” he told
MUTV. “I was confident. The wait was long but I stuck with where I was going to place it and put it away.
