Ex-Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell has vented his frustration over the way Raphael Varane dealt with Gunners star Gabriel Jesus when the pair met at Old Trafford last Sunday.
It was an intriguing contest between the two sides, as while United ran out 3-1 winners Mikel Arteta's side certainly gave as good as they got and actually dominated for large periods of the game. Jesus was a focal point for everything positive from the visitors' perspective and gave Varane one of his toughest tests in recent memory.
Despite the Frenchman's phsycial advantage, Varane struggled to deal with the way Jesus imposed himself on the game and in turn often resorted to cynically fouling the Brazilian international. It must be noted how Varane was not the only player guilty of this, his Red Devils teammates Scott McTominay and Lisandro Martinez also took a physical approach with Jesus on a number of occasions.
Speaking to Football Insider, Campbell appeared seething in his assessment of the way the United trio conducted themselves.
"The Man United players were getting physical. You could see that from the first challenge Martinez put in on Gabriel Jesus.
"I have never seen Varane be that physical with a striker. He had Jesus in a headlock at one stage. Do not get me wrong. Jesus is physical with them as well. He is very good using his body. He is strong and quick.
"McTominay was in and around Jesus as well. He got booked for something out of WWE. The treatment of Jesus was serious. It was only a matter of time before Jesus lost his head."
HAVE YOUR SAY! Were United 'too rough' with Jesus against Arsenal? Comment below
Campbell's last point is in reference to Jesus showcasing his frustration with some of the treatment he'd received and kicking out at Martinez - something that was actually only spotted by pundits long after the game.
The point made by the former Arsenal star falls down to an extent given Jesus' kick at the Argentine defender happens early on in the game, meaning he wasn't lashing out as the overwhelming majority of rough treatment he was to receive was still to come.
Had his kick on Martinez been spotted by either referees or VAR, there is a strong chance Arsenal's striker would have been red-carded before the likes of Varane had the chance to get his hands on Jesus. The result marked the Gunners first defeat of the season after an impressive start that saw them win all five of their opening games.
