Manchester United's head coach, Michael Carrick, has vehemently criticized the decision to send off Lisandro Martinez, labeling it as 'one of the worst' refereeing calls he has ever seen. The incident occurred during the team's 2-1 defeat to Leeds, with Martinez receiving a red card for a brief, unintentional hair pull on Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The Argentine defender was left perplexed as he exited the pitch, with Carrick expressing his outrage at the harsh punishment. The Manchester United coach argued that the incident did not warrant a red card, stating, 'It's not a pull, it's not a tug, it's not aggressive, he touches it and gets sent off.' Carrick's sentiments were shared by Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher, who felt that the decision was overly severe.
The controversy surrounding the red card has sparked a debate, with some pundits, including Gary Neville, believing that Martinez should have been more cautious given the increased scrutiny on hair pulling this season. However, Carragher countered that the incident did not merit a red card, emphasizing that 'it's not just about the rule book, it's about what the game wants.' The decision has significant implications for Manchester United, as Martinez now faces a three-match ban.