Update: Alan Shearer blasts Marcus Rashford decision as Man United watch on after Aston Villa exit News

Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford played well overall for Aston Villa against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday but his early error led to PSG’s opening goal.

Alan Shearer blamed Marcus Rashford for his role in Aston Villa going a goal down against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night.

The Manchester United loanee’s poor touch allowed PSG skipper Marquinhos to nip in and tackle him to steal the ball during the Champions League quarterfinal clash. The French champions executed a ruthless counter-attack, with Nuno Mendes setting Bradley Barcola free down the left flank. Barcola drove the ball to the edge of the penalty area before laying it off for Ousmane Dembele.

Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made a desperate attempt to cut out the cross but only managed to divert the ball into the path of Achraf Hakimi, who promptly dispatched it into the net. It put PSG 4-1 ahead on aggregate just 11 minutes into the game, and despite a second-half fightback that saw Emery’s men win 3-2 on the night, the Villans lost 5-4 on aggregate.

While acknowledging that Martinez had made a mistake, Shearer also pointed out Rashford’s poor touch in attack. The Newcastle United legend identified this as the crucial turning point which led to PSG’s opener.

“It was a poor touch from Marcus Rashford wasn’t it. Just on the edge of the 18-yard box. I could see what he was trying to do. He was trying to cut in on that right foot and bend it in there,” Shearer said in commentary on Amazon Prime.

“But it was a poor touch that enabled Marquinhos to get the tackle in. As soon as they won the ball back, their first thought was ‘forward’. Villa were so open at the back, particularly down their right.”

While Shearer pointed the finger at Rashford for his actions, United legend Wayne Rooney insisted he was not totally to blame. Instead, he felt the attacker was let down by his team-mates.

“The first goal, they got themselves into a really good position and it’s exactly where you want Marcus Rashford. It’s a bad first touch, but as a forward you don’t expect to concede from there,” Rooney told Amazon Prime.

“From there I think Kamara should stay in the middle of the pitch after seeing Matty Cash has gone and give them that balance but he doesn’t, he gambles and goes in. From there Cash doesn’t run back quick enough and it’s a very dangerous position. Very sloppy.”

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