Roy Keane has pointed the finger at Michael Carrick, accusing the Manchester United manager of using Lisandro Martinez's controversial red card to deflect attention away from the team's substandard display in their recent loss to Leeds United. The incident has sparked debate ahead of a crucial weekend clash with Chelsea.
Martinez's Red Card Controversy
Lisandro Martinez will miss the huge Premier League encounter between Chelsea and Manchester United this weekend, following a contentious sending-off at Old Trafford on Monday. The Argentinian defender was dismissed for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin's hair during United's 2-1 home defeat to Leeds United.
Referee Paul Tierney brandished the red card after being instructed to review the incident by VAR, a decision that particularly infuriated Carrick. In his post-match interview, Carrick branded the ruling as "one of the worst" he has witnessed this season and drew parallels with Harry Maguire's red card against Bournemouth the previous week.
Keane's Blunt Assessment
However, Roy Keane strongly disagreed with Carrick's perspective, highlighting the fact that Manchester United were already 2-0 down before Martinez was dismissed. Speaking on The Overlap, Keane offered a blunt assessment of the situation.
"I can see why he gave it, but this idea of violent conduct, it is harsh," Keane said. "They did it to Michael Keane, he was sent off at Everton a couple of months ago and that was the same type of scenario. He didn't really grab him but he got a red card for it."
Keane expressed amazement at the post-game focus, stating: "I am amazed after the game, United, everyone is angry at the sending off. You should be angry with the performance. Do you know what it is? It's like a distraction, the sending off. No, you were 2-0 down at the time."
The former Manchester United captain emphasised his point further: "Be angry with the first half where you can turn up for a game so slowly. It's like a distraction for everyone, 'We will talk about the sending off'. I can see why he sent him off, but this violent conduct seems a bit strange."
Carrick's Frustration and Consequences
In his post-match comments, Carrick made no attempt to conceal his frustration at the decision, which means he'll be without both Maguire and Martinez for this weekend's trip to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
"That decision was one of the worst I've ever seen," Carrick said. "He [Calvert-Lewin] can throw his arms in Licha's [Martinez's] face - and then he's sent off. Shocking. I don't even know what it looks like. It's not a pull, it's not a tug, it's not aggressive."
Carrick continued his criticism: "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."
Premier League Implications
Manchester United managed to hold onto third place in the Premier League despite the draw with Bournemouth and the loss to Leeds. However, their position is becoming increasingly vulnerable, with Aston Villa in fourth now level on points with the Reds.
The absence of both Martinez and Maguire presents significant defensive challenges for Carrick as his team prepares to face a Chelsea side looking to strengthen their own European qualification hopes. The weekend clash at Stamford Bridge now takes on added significance given United's recent defensive vulnerabilities and the controversy surrounding their disciplinary record.
