Michael Carrick has branded Lisandro Martínez's red card for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin's hair as 'shocking' as the Manchester United defender faces a three-match ban. The sending off occurred during United's 2-1 defeat by Leeds at Old Trafford on Monday night, with referee Paul Tierney reviewing the incident on the monitor before issuing the red card in the 56th minute.
Carrick expressed his dismay, stating: 'The arm [is] in the face of Lisandro and he is off balance and grappling. He goes to touch his shirt and gets a red card for it. It is not aggressive, there is no jolt, no tug. We have got to be careful where the game is going. It is a shocking decision, absolutely shocking.' He added that the club may appeal the decision.
The interim manager also questioned the validity of Leeds' opening goal, claiming Calvert-Lewin had impeded Leny Yoro in the buildup. 'The goal, Leny Yoro gets a forearm smash in the back of the head. I don't know how that doesn't get overturned,' Carrick said.
United could be without both first-choice centre-backs for Saturday's trip to Chelsea, as Harry Maguire may be suspended for a second match following his red card against Bournemouth. Maguire has also been charged by the Football Association with improper conduct. Martínez will miss matches against Chelsea, Brentford, and Liverpool if the ban stands.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke celebrated his side's first league win at Old Trafford in 45 years, saying: 'I feel tired, relieved, proud of the boys. The first league win here in over 40 years is amazing.'
