- Manchester United centre-back receievs three match ban
- Martinez misses Chelsea, Brentford, and Liverpool matches
- Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro set to start
Manchester United have received bad news from Professional Game Match Officials Limited regarding Lisandro Martinez’s red card.
The Argentine was dismissed after tugging at the ponytail of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, with referee Paul Tierney brandishing a straight red. Michael Carrick was left outraged, calling it “one of the worst decisions” he’s ever seen.
It leaves United in a difficult spot. Matthijs De Ligt continues to nurse the back injury he sustained in November, while Harry Maguire will also miss the match through suspension after receiving a second-game ban for allegedly swearing at fourth official Matt Donohue following his dismissal in the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth.
Carrick will now likely turn to a youthful pairing of Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven, who share a combined age of just 39 just six years older than Maguire.
Martinez Misses Chelsea
With Martinez’s red card appeal upheld, he will miss not only the upcoming away fixture against Champions League-chasing Chelsea, but also key clashes with Brentford and Liverpool.
From United’s final six matches of the season, these three fixtures stand out as the most significant.
All three sides sit within touching distance, and after United’s display against Leeds United, they will smell blood. The equation remains relatively clear.
United need a maximum of 12 points—four wins from six—to secure fifth place and a Champions League berth. Victories over Chelsea and Brentford, however, would ease that requirement considerably.
Instead, United head into this defining stretch without key members of their squad.
Patrick Dorgu could return, with the defender nearing full fitness, but he has not featured since 25 January and will likely only play brief cameos.
The bigger question is, if either Ayden Heaven or Leny Yoro suffers an injury—or worse, sees red—then Michael Carrick will likely turn to Tyler Fredricson, who has played just 213 minutes of first-team football for the club.
