Sunday proved a day to forget for one former Manchester United player who was sent off for his current side after punching a rival player in a moment of madness.
To make matters worse, the player in question was at fault for their opponents’ opening goal as his team eventually lost 2-0 at home.
So, who is the former Red Devil culprit? Marcos Rojo.
The defender, who spent seven seasons at United – albeit the last two including loan spells away, is currently plying his trade in his homeland of Argentina for Racing Club.
He signed a one-year contract with Racing last August after leaving Argentine giants Boca Juniors, and has made 17 appearances since in an injury-plagued eight-month period.
And his 17th game ended in disgrace for Racing Club as he was sent off late on in their 2-0 defeat by River Plate in the Argentine Primera Division.
His red card came in the 80th minute of the match as the hosts chased an equaliser after going a goal down in the first half.
Tussling for space with River Plate players marking him tightly, Rojo struck out at their defender Lucas Martinez Quarta on the half-turn and off-the-ball – hitting him across the face and leaving him stricken on the ground.
Initially, the 36-year-old’s act went unnoticed by the referee but the VAR alerted him to the incident. After watching it back, he was quickly given his marching orders.
Despite the footage, Rojo was incensed at the decision as he berated the official before eventually being ushered away by his team-mates.
That sending off capped a disastrous evening for the former Argentina international who was at fault for River Plate’s opening goal.
With Racing Club on the attack, River Plate won the ball back and cleared their lines with a hopeful punt forward.
Backpedalling just past the semi-circle in his own half, Rojo got to the ball first ahead of chasing River striker Facundo Colidio.
However, as he attempted to kick the ball out of play with a slide tackle, Rojo completely miskicked the ball allowing Colidio a free run at goal from which he scored.
The 2-0 scoreline was complete in second-half stoppage-time when Sebastian Driussi scored a classy second for the visitors after more catastrophic defending.
Rojo made 122 appearances for Manchester United, winning the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League.
