Lisandro Martinez was sent off during Manchester United's defeat to Chelsea after receiving two yellow cards in the space of four minutes at Stamford Bridge. The first booking came after he was beaten by Morgan Rogers, and moments later he conceded a penalty after a VAR review ruled he had jumped into Wesley Fofana.
Carrick refuses to criticise Martinez
As Martinez left the pitch, interim manager Michael Carrick offered no words of comfort. Asked about the sending-off afterwards, Carrick declined to reprimand the defender publicly. "Some decisions, I've not seen back, so I don't know if it was or not (a sending off). He's obviously gone to it, and the referee gave that decision, but it's a big moment in the game," he said.
Carrick added: "The second half got away from us, which is something we've got to deal with, you know. Sometimes you get setbacks in games and you've got to deal with that better, you know, from being in such a good place first half. The two halves of football probably couldn't be further apart in some ways."
Injury-hit season and off-field controversy
This season, Martinez has had a point to prove after an impressive World Cup. Injuries have plagued the defender since he joined from Ajax in 2022. Last month, his antics both on and off the pitch put him in the spotlight.
Following a defeat to Atletico Madrid, Martinez was critical of the hierarchy at United, particularly Jason Wilcox, after the club failed to strengthen their squad adequately for the Champions League. He eventually apologised after talks with the club.
The sending-off against Chelsea has now put him under huge scrutiny, and questions have been raised about whether United should try to sell him in January.
