MICHAEL CARRICK has suggested Manchester United could appeal Lisandro Martinez’s red card against Leeds.
Martinez was dismissed for tugging Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair after the VAR John Brooks advised on-pitch referee Paul Tierney to review a replay.
Lisandro Martinez was sent off for tugging Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hairCredit: Reuters
Martinez was left stunned after getting the red cardCredit: Reuters
The straight red card for violent conduct would mean Martinez is unavailable for United’s games away to Chelsea and the visits of Brentford and Liverpool.
Harry Maguire, who was suspended for the 2-1 defeat to Leeds, faces an additional one-match suspension after he was charged by the Football Association over a run-in with the fourth official over his red card in the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth last month.
United could be without centre halves Maguire, Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt – sidelined since November – at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
That would leave Carrick with Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven as United’s only senior central defenders.
Carrick admitted he was “really concerned” about the state of the game if Martinez’s tangle with Calvert-Lewin was deemed a sending off offence.
He also claimed Noah Okafor’s fifth-minute opening goal should have been disallowed due to a “forearm smash” by Calvert-Lewin into Yoro.
“I have to say that’s really concerning if that’s gonna be a sending off,” Carrick complained.
“I know he’s touched his hair. He can’t deny he touched his head.
Man Utd ratings: Bruno Fernandes unable to rescue United as Yoro gets bullied with Ugarte display a sad spectacle
LISANDRO MARTINEZ was sent off on his return from injury as Leeds beat Manchester United at Old Trafford for the first time in the league in 45 years.
‘s side missed out on the chance to move three points clear of Aston Villa in the race as a motivated outfit edged closer to Premier League safety.
Two goals from Noah Okafor gave Daniel Farke’s team a well deserved lead inside 29 minutes as United showed the worst of themselves for the first time under Carrick.
Martinez’s 56th minute red card was compounded by the fact that is facing an extended ban following his dismissal at .
Casemiro’s 69th minute header turned the tide of the game as United piled the pressure on before Dominic Calvert-Lewin cleared a chance off the line late-on.
“There’s a difference between touching somebody the way he has and brushing his hair to actually, really aggressively, tugging on it.
“Which certainly we’ve seen at certain points where there’s a real kind of emphasis to. It’s really concerning.
“Whatever players are available after this, hopefully Licha is still available. I think certainly that it should be after that. But we’ll see.
“That’s why we’ve got a squad. We got players that we can call upon and we’ll go there and look forward to the game.”
When asked if United would appeal the dismissal, Carrick replied: “I’m gonna have to, obviously, discuss it but I think it’s a a bad decision, so we will have to see.
“I have to say the goal itself, Lenny Yoro gets a forearm smash in the back of his head,” Carrick added.
“It’s worth looking again, if you haven’t seen that. Which, I don’t know if you get a sending off for what we’re getting a sending off.
Lisandro Martínez has been sent off for violent conduct 🟥 pic.twitter.com/TFGLTZUiTB
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 13, 2026
Michael Carrick suffered his first home defeat as United coachCredit: Getty
Noah Okafor scored twiceCredit: PA
“I don’t know how that doesn’t get overturned as it goes. It’s a clear forearm smashing the side of his head.
“So that first goal shouldn’t stand. And it puts us in a situation that is a little bit more difficult.
“I think it’s just about tonight. Two decisions for me. The first one: if you overturn it, you’re looking at a massive moment.
“He (Calvert-Lewin)’s lent with his arm. He leans forward and kind of goes like that on Leny’s head.
“So, I don’t know how you don’t over look at it to see that.”
United complained to the PGMOL after they were denied a penalty when 1-0 up at Bournemouth last month.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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