Manchester United’s interim head coach, Michael Carrick, has offered a scathing assessment of the officiating following Lisandro Martinez’s dismissal during Monday night’s Premier League clash with Leeds United. The Red Devils suffered a 2-1 loss at Old Trafford, a result overshadowed by the controversial departure of the Argentine defender, who was sent off after a VAR intervention.
The incident involved a momentary contact with the hair of Leeds forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin, which the video assistant referee deemed worthy of a straight red card. As a consequence of the decision, the World Cup winner is now set to serve a three-match domestic suspension.
Addressing the media via Sky Sports in the aftermath of the contest, Carrick did not hide his frustration, labeling the intervention by the officiating crew as one of the most egregious errors he has witnessed in the game.
“It’s not a pull, it’s not a tug, it’s not aggressive, he touches it and gets sent off. Worst of all was that he was sent to overturn it as a clear error. It’s shocking,” Carrick remarked. “That’s two games in a row we’ve had those decisions go against us, but that one was one of the worst I’ve seen.”
The interim manager’s comments highlight a growing sense of grievance within the United camp regarding recent officiating standards. With a significant ban looming for a key defensive figure, the club faces a challenging period ahead as they navigate a busy fixture list without one of their most physical presence in the backline.
