Fulham striker Mitrovic should get TEN-GAME ban for elbowing ref.. we cannot have this in football, says Halsey

ALEKSANDAR MITROVIC should be hit with a ten-game ban for his part in 40 seconds of second-half madness.

The chaos at Old Trafford started with the VAR decision to award a penalty and send off Willian for a clear handball.

Willian had to go for denying a goalscoring opportunity.

I was surprised Chris Kavanagh did not see it in real time but that is what VAR is there for.

Marco Silva approached the pitchside review area while referee Kavanagh was watching the incident and that is an automatic caution.

But Silva must have said something which led Kavanagh to issue a red.

In some ways Silva was to blame for Mitrovic’s action — managers have got to set an example.

Mitrovic has technically assaulted Kavanagh by shoving his elbow into him and has then gone at the official with a volley of abuse.

The FA have a duty of care to referees and we cannot have this at any level of football.

They have to set an example by sanctioning Mitrovic heavily and I would expect both clubs to be charged with failing to control their players.

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To Kavanagh's credit, the referee remained calm throughout the madness.

Mitrovic himself had initially put Fulham ahead in the game five minutes after the break.

Bruno Fernandes then equalised for United from the spot after Silva, Mitrovic and Willian were all dismissed.

Marcel Sabitzer put the Red Devils ahead just minutes later before Fernandes sealed a 3-1 win in injury time.

The victory sets up an FA Cup semi-final meeting with Brighton at Wembley next month.