Lisandro Martinez is serving a three-match suspension after his red card for Manchester United against Leeds United. The defender was shown a straight red card during the Premier League clash earlier this month.
Why isn't Lisandro Martinez playing for Man Utd vs Brentford?
The initial incident
During Manchester United’s 2–1 defeat to Leeds United on April 13, Lisandro Martinez was shown a straight red card in the 56th minute. The Argentine defender was penalised following a VAR review that judged him to have pulled the hair of Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The nature of the offence
The referee, Paul Tierney, dismissed the centre-back for violent conduct after the video footage appeared to show him grabbing the striker’s hair. While the contact was debated by fans, the FA guidelines state that hair-pulling is considered a violation of safety and falls under the category of non-footballing physical aggression.
The unsuccessful appeal
United formally appealed the decision on the grounds of "wrongful dismissal," arguing that the contact was negligible and did not constitute an "obvious error" by the officials. However, the FA rejected this appeal on April 24, maintaining that the referee's interpretation of the footage was within the parameters of reasonableness.
The manager’s reaction
Interim head coach Michael Carrick expressed his absolute disbelief and frustration, describing the red card as "shocking" and one of the worst decisions he had ever seen. Carrick argued that Martinez was merely off-balance and had accidentally touched the striker’s hair, rather than committing an act of intentional violence.
The length of the ban
Because the red card was issued for violent conduct and the appeal was subsequently dismissed, Martinez was handed a mandatory three-match suspension. The FA commission specifically noted that hair-pulling must be consistently punished to discourage such behaviour in the professional game.
The first game served
Martinez has already served the first match of his three-game ban, which took place during United’s 1–0 victory over Chelsea. In his absence, young defender Ayden Heaven stepped into the line-up and earned praise for his composure during a vital win for the club.
The remaining fixtures missed
The defender is set to miss United's next Premier League match against Brentford on Monday night and the derby against Liverpool on May 3. These absences come at a critical time as the club continues its push to secure a top-five finish and Champions League qualification.
The official return date
Fans can expect to see Martinez back on the pitch when United travel to face Sunderland on May 9. This will be his first eligible competitive appearance following the completion of his disciplinary requirements.
The impact on the squad
The suspension of Martinez has been particularly challenging because Harry Maguire has also been suspended, leaving the defence somewhat thin. However, Maguire is due to return from his suspension against Brentford after serving his three-game ban.
