Three-game suspension also rules Argentina defender out of league fixtures against Brentford and Liverpool, with Maguire serving an additional ban
Lisandro Martinez will miss Manchester United’s Premier League trip to Chelsea on Saturday after his red card against Leeds United, head coach Michael Carrick has confirmed.
The defender was sent off during Monday’s defeat after a VAR review led to his dismissal for pulling the hair of Dominic Calvert-Lewin. United appealed the decision, arguing there was no force involved and that Martinez was challenging for the ball, but the decision was upheld.
At the start of the season, referees had informed clubs that hair pulling would be treated as violent conduct, meaning Martinez is expected to serve a three-match suspension. That would also rule him out of league fixtures against Brentford and Liverpool, with a potential return against Sunderland on 9 May.
“We didn’t agree with it, it’s obvious how I felt after the game, and I still feel that way now,” Carrick said. “I don’t want to go into it now, it is what it is. We have to accept it and move on.”
Martinez’s absence creates defensive problems for United, with Harry Maguire also suspended following his red card against Bournemouth and an additional one-game ban for misconduct. Matthijs de Ligt remains sidelined with a long-term injury, leaving Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven as the only recognised centre-backs available.
Midfielder Manuel Ugarte was used in defence after Martinez’s dismissal against Leeds. Carrick hinted that Kobbie Mainoo could return to midfield after missing the Leeds match through injury, with United’s coach saying “there is a decision to be made.”
Patrick Dorgu remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from injury.
