Moreno showed no regard for his opponents safety in the challenge

Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli couldn't have saved Luke Shaw from breaking his leg on Tuesday night but he could and should have punished PSV defender Hector Moreno.

Moreno should have been reprimanded for the terrible tackle which caused Shaw the horrific double fracture of his leg.

Moreno showed no regard for his opponents safety when he flew in to tackle Shaw as the Manchester United defender burst into the PSV penalty area.

Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli calls for medical assistance with Luke Shaw on the ground in pain

Manchester United's Shaw is taken off on a stretcher following the horrific injury on Tuesday

His leading leg might have touched the ball but the way he entered into the challenge ‒ at pace and off the ground ‒ he had no control over his actions.

Rizzoli knows the law and, while the tackle might have looked worse in slow motion replays which the referee does not see, he should detect and punish such tackles made with excessive force.

He is one of UEFA's very best officials but he missed a poor tackle here which also should have resulted in a penalty for United as well as the red card for Moreno.

That the Mexican then scored the equaliser really did highlight what a costly mistake the referee made.