- Manchester United beaten 2-1 by Leeds
- Michael Carrick rages with Lisandro Martinez red card
- Red Devils coach called it ‘shocking’
Michael Carrick called the decision to send Lisandro Martinez off in Manchester United’s 2-1 loss to Leeds United ‘shocking’. The Reds fell to a shock defeat and spurned the chance to edge closer to a return to Champions League football.
Noah Okafor gave Leeds a two-nil lead in the first half and deservedly so. United were poor and defensively vulnerable each time the visitors broke forward.
Martinez’s sending off came as a surprise when he tangled with Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The English striker first had his hand in the Argentine’s face, which led to him eventually holding his ponytail.
The red card changed the game, but United suddenly came to life when Bruno Fernandes found Casemiro with an excellent ball. But Carrick’s men couldn’t find an equaliser and suffered a dissapointing defeat.
Carrick on ‘Shocking’ Martinez Red Card
Carrick spoke to Sky Sports after the game and vented his frustrations. He said:
“I thought the boys stayed with it and tried to get something out of the game after another shocking, shocking decision to send Licha off. Two games in a row we’ve had two decisions go against us but that one I have to say is one of the worst I’ve ever seen.”
He added:
“You can have a hold of Leny Yoro for the first goal and side of the head, leaning arm obviously and then you can throw your arm in Licha’s face and then as he’s off balance because of that he then touches his back of his hair. It then looks like… I don’t even know what it looks like. It’s not aggressive, he touches it, and he gets sent off. Shocking.”
Carrick’s frustrations are understandable and it didn’t seem as though Leeds were even convinced a red card was warranted at the time. But he now loses yet another central defender ahead of the Chelsea game on Saturday (April 18th).
A Massive Headache
Harry Maguire missed tonight’s game through suspension, and the FA might even add another game to his ban. If that’s the case, United might head to Stamford Bridge with Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven partnering.
Bruno Fernandes was also perplexed by Martinez’s sending off, and he feels “there are different rules for everyone.” It’s the second game in a row that one of his teammates has been handed their marching orders, and it’s giving Carrick a real problem.
