Manchester United plan to appeal Lisandro Martínez’s controversial red card against Leeds United.
Martínez was sent off in the 56th minute of Monday’s disappointing 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford after momentarily pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s ponytail.
Referee Paul Tierney missed the incident but was sent to the pitchside monitor to review it by the VAR John Brooks and opted to dismiss the Argentina defender.
Michael Carrick, the United head coach, described the decision as “absolutely shocking” and “one of the worst I’ve seen”.
Carrick questioned how Martínez could have been sent off for perceived violent conduct when Leeds striker Calvert-Lewin escaped any censure for what he felt was a “forearm smash” on Leny Yoro in the lead-up to Leeds’ opening goal.
Carrick hinted after the game that United would appeal the red card once he had discussed the matter with club officials.
Telegraph Sport understands United have decided to follow through with an appeal. Martínez is facing the prospect of a three-match ban that would rule him out of Saturday’s crucial clash at Chelsea in addition to the home games against Brentford and Liverpool.
Any suspension would come at a terrible time for Carrick, with the United manager facing a potential defensive crisis ahead of Chelsea.
United are expected to discover on Tuesday whether Harry Maguire will face additional punishment following his red card at Bournemouth last month after being charged with acting in an “improper manner” towards fourth official Matt Donohue following his dismissal.
The England defender was suspended for the Leeds game but runs the risk of also being banned for the Chelsea game if found guilty of the charge.
With Matthijs de Ligt still sidelined with a back injury that has kept him out since November, there is a danger of Carrick being without his three first-choice centre-backs against Chelsea.
Victory against Leeds and Chelsea would have seen United open up a 13-point lead on Chelsea, who are currently in sixth, outside the five Champions League positions.
But United’s lead over Liam Rosenoir’s side would be cut to just four points were they to lose at Stamford Bridge.
United were also missing midfielder Kobbie Mainoo because of injury against Leeds and it remains to be seen if he will be fit for Saturday.
The Martínez episode is the latest in a series of decisions that United feel have gone against them this season. The club lodged a formal complaint with Professional Game Match Officials Limited, the referees’ governing body, last month after finally running out of patience in the wake of a controversial 2-2 draw at Bournemouth.
Old Trafford officials were furious that referee Stuart Attwell refused to award Amad Diallo a penalty, moments before Ryan Christie scored for Bournemouth, when Amad appeared to have his shirt pulled by Adrien Truffert but Attwell and the VAR did not give a foul.