By Alan Hutton

22nd Mar, 2023 | 10:46am

Man United star cited as FA told to make an 'example' of Aleksandar Mitrovic - pundit

Alan Hutton has claimed the FA need to make an “example” of Aleksanadr Mitrovic after he was sent off against Man United.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Tottenham and Aston Villa right-back said that he has seen poor treatment of officials at grassroots level and insisted something needs to be done.

As shown on ITV (19 March), Mitrovic was sent off in Fulham’s FA Cup clash against Man United after shoving referee Chris Kavanagh following red cards for manager Marco Silva and teammate Willian

United went on to win the game 3-1 and progress to the semi-final of the FA Cup.

The FA confirmed (20 March), that Silva and Mitrovic have been charged by the FA for their behaviour and said a three-match ban that would normally accompany a red card for violent conduct is “insufficient” for Mitrovic.

When asked what an appropriate punishment for the Serbia international would be, Hutton told Football Insider: “I think they will have to set some sort of example now.

“We saw what happened with [Bruno] Fernandes. Even though it was different, he still touched an official. I am not saying it is the same but a couple of weeks later it has happened again and it is worse.

“They will have to go and show that this is not acceptable. I have got a feeling it will be more than three. I do not think it will be ten but they will have to do something. You have to set an example to say that it is not acceptable.

“If you think of all the young people watching and all the problems they have at grassroots. I go and watch it myself and I see some parents scream at referees and stuff and it is not acceptable so you have to show that.“

In other news, Man United training ground abuzz with box-office signing talk.