Lisandro Martinez will miss the huge clash between Chelsea and Manchester United this weekend, after a contentious red card at Old Trafford on Monday
12:45, 16 Apr 2026Updated 13:48, 16 Apr 2026
Lisandro Martinez was sent off for Man United during their clash with Leeds(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Roy Keane has accused Michael Carrick of using Lisandro Martinez’s red card to deflect attention away from Manchester United’s substandard display against Leeds United. Carrick was incensed when Martinez was dismissed during the Reds’ 2-1 home loss to Leeds, which rules him out of this weekend’s clash between Chelsea and United at Stamford Bridge.
The Argentinian defender was sent off for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair. Referee Paul Tierney brandished the red card after being instructed to review the incident by VAR, something which particularly infuriated Carrick.
In his post-match interview, Carrick branded the decision as “one of the worst” he’s witnessed this season and drew parallels with Harry Maguire’s red card against Bournemouth the previous week. However, Keane disagreed with Carrick, highlighting the fact United were already 2-0 down before Martinez was dismissed.
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Keane, speaking on The Overlap, said: “I can see why he gave it, but this idea of violent conduct, it is harsh. But they did it to (Michael) Keane, he was sent off at Everton a couple of months ago and that was the same type of scenario.
“He didn’t really grab him but he got a red card for it, so. I think when they call it violent conduct that sounds a bit bizarre doesn’t it? I am amazed after the game, United, everyone is angry at the sending off.
“You should be angry with the performance. Do you know what it is? It’s like a distraction, the sending off. No, you were 2-0 down at the time.
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“Be angry with the fist half where you can turn up for a game so slowly. It’s like a distraction for everyone, ‘We will talk about the sending off’. I can see why he sent him off, but this violent conduct seems a bit strange.”
United managed to hold onto third place despite the draw with Bournemouth and the loss to Leeds. However, their position is increasingly vulnerable, with Aston Villa in fourth now level on points with the Reds.
In his post-match comments, Carrick made no attempt to conceal his frustration at the decision, which means he’ll be without both Maguire and Martinez for this weekend’s trip to face Chelsea. He said: “That decision was one of the worst I’ve ever seen.
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“He [Calvert-Lewin] can throw his arms in Licha’s [Martinez’s] face – and then he’s sent off. Shocking. I don’t even know what it looks like. It’s not a pull, it’s not a tug, it’s not aggressive.
“He touches it and he gets sent off. Worse of all, he gets sent to overturn it, a clear and obvious error. Shocking. He is off balance and grappling.
“We have got to be careful where the game is going. It is a shocking decision, absolutely shocking.”