Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez was sent off during their 2-1 defeat against Leeds United at Old Trafford. The decision to show Martinez a straight red card for pulling the hair of Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been met with strong criticism. Manager Michael Carrick has branded it “one of the worst” decisions he has ever witnessed.
Martinez’s Dismissal and Carrick’s Fury
The incident occurred in the 56th minute with the hosts trailing 2-0, courtesy of a first-half double from Noah Okafor. Martinez attempted to stop Calvert-Lewin, resulting in an off-the-ball incident where he held the striker’s hair, after seemingly being caught in the face himself. Referee Paul Tierney, after consulting the video assistant referee (VAR) and reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor, issued the red card.
Tierney announced to the stadium: “After review, Manchester United 6 is guilty of pulling his hair – violent conduct. Final decision is red card.” The Premier League Match Centre also confirmed the decision on X, stating: “After VAR review, the referee issued a red card to Martinez for violent conduct.”
Carrick was visibly angry at the decision. “That decision was one of the worst I’ve ever seen. He [Calvert-Lewin] can throw his arms in Licha’s [Martinez’s] face – and then he’s sent off. Shocking,” he said. Carrick added: “I don’t even know what it looks like. It’s not a pull, it’s not a tug, it’s not aggressive. He touches it and he gets sent off… Worse of all, he gets sent to overturn it, a clear and obvious error. Shocking. He is off balance and grappling… We have got to be careful where the game is going. It is a shocking decision, absolutely shocking.”
Reactions to the Red Card
Red Devils captain Bruno Fernandes declined to comment on the officials. However, Calvert-Lewin maintained that his hair was pulled, stating: “I don’t know, I don’t make the rules. I felt my hair get pulled, told the ref, he makes the decisions. Unfortunate for [Martinez], whether he’s meant it or not. I hold no grudges.”
Leeds boss Daniel Farke expressed concerns about the potential impact of the sending-off on his team’s momentum. “I was worried because we had such good momentum and sometimes such a situation can change the momentum,” Farke said. “I would have preferred to play 11 v 11 but it is how it is. But in the end we won the game and I don’t complain.”
Pundit Opinions
Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane and ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher offered their perspectives on the incident. Keane told Sky Sports: “I can see both sides. When you class this as violent conduct this seems really harsh. It is harsh but when looking at the laws you have to accept it.”
Carragher added: “I think that is soft. He is going for the ball, trying to grab hold of something and he has got it for half a second… I don’t think any football fan, any player is thinking that is a red card.”
Martinez, who is 28, is now facing a three-match suspension, although Carrick has indicated that the club might appeal the decision.