Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez was sent off in their 2-1 loss against Leeds United at Old Trafford. The Argentine received a straight red card for pulling the hair of Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick called the decision to send off Martinez “one of the worst” he has seen. The red card means Martinez will now face a three-match suspension, although Carrick indicated the club might appeal the decision.
The Incident and Aftermath
The incident occurred in the 56th minute with the hosts trailing 2-0. Noah Okafor had scored a first-half double for Leeds. Martinez attempted to stop Calvert-Lewin by grabbing his hair in an off-the-ball incident, after, according to the source article, being caught in the face himself.
Referee Paul Tierney reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor after instruction from the video assistant referee (VAR) before dismissing Martinez. 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 posted on X: “After VAR review, the referee issued a red card to Martinez for violent conduct.”
Carrick’s Fury at the Decision
Carrick was visibly angry at the decision. He said: “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.”
Carrick continued: “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
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes declined to comment on the officials, fearing repercussions. Calvert-Lewin, however, maintained that his hair was pulled.
He said: “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 shift in momentum following the red card. He said: “I was worried because we had such good momentum and sometimes such a situation can change the momentum. 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.”
Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane and ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher both sympathised with Carrick’s perspective.
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.”
Carrick now faces his first major test at Manchester United amidst jeers and a defensive crisis.