Man Utd star Andre Onana avoided red card due to little-known rule as Bodo/Glimt star reveals referee’s explanation

ANDRE ONANA avoided a red card against Bodo/Glimt due to a little-known rule.

The Cameroonian, 28, was in action as Manchester United came from behind to beat their Norwegian opponents 3-2 in the Europa League.

With 15 minutes remaining, Onana was involved in a highly contentious moment.

As Bodo/Glimt broke forward, the United stopper raced out of his goal.

Onana challenged Jens Petter Hauge, with the ball clearly striking his arm and stopping Bodo/Glimt's attack.

Referee Lawrence Visser immediately waved away the visitors' claims.

The decision was then cleared by VAR as the game continued.

After his side's defeat, Bodo/Glimt's skipper Patrick Berg revealed Visser's on-field explanation for the decision.

He told Norwegian broadcaster NRK: "I feel Jens tries to drag the ball past Onana and then it hits his hand.

"He [Visser] explains that there is a rule that states that the ball can hit the hand if it is on the ground as a support, then it does not matter."

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While the decision not to send Onana off was correct by the letter of the law, it still left some opposition players with a sour taste.

Hakon Evjen added: "It looked like he takes it with his hand now and then, whether there is support or not.

"It is an open target for Jens at 20 metres, so it is at least debatable."

Man Utd had taken the lead after just 48 seconds via Alejandro Garnacho.

But Bodo/Glimt stunned the Old Trafford crowd by turning the game on its head courtesy of strikes by Evjen And Philip Zinckernagel.

Rasmus Hojlund levelled on the stroke of half-time, before grabbing what turned out to be the winner on 50 minutes.

After the game, Onana caught up with a high-profile compatriot.

The goalkeeper beamed as he posed for a snap with former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.