Michael Carrick called the decision to send Lisandro Martinez off in Manchester United’s defeat to Leeds United “one of the worst I’ve seen”.
The Red Devils fell to a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford on Monday, with Noah Okafor scoring a first-half brace for the visitors.
After winning six of their first seven Premier League games under Carrick upon his return (D1), United have since won just one of their last four (D1 L2).
Martinez received his marching orders in the 56th minute following a VAR review, penalised for violent conduct after pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair.
It was United’s sixth red card in the Premier League since the start of last season; only Chelsea (nine) have received more in that time.
Casemiro managed to pull a goal back for United despite their numerical disadvantage, but it was not enough to spark a comeback.
Harry Maguire was sent off for United in their previous game against Bournemouth (2-2), which Carrick disagreed with, and the interim head coach was not pleased with the decision to send off Martinez.
“We didn’t start the game particularly well. We conceded, which came after Leny Yoro got a forearm smash in the back of his head,” Carrick told Sky Sports.
Defeat at Old Trafford.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 13, 2026
“They didn’t decide to overturn that, which was a big moment in the game. We didn’t quite have the rhythm, we didn’t click. We had some moments, but it wasn’t there for large parts of the half.
“I thought the boys stayed positive and fought for everything in the second half, after a shocking decision to send Licha [Martinez] off.
“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.
“It’s not a pull, it’s not a tug, it’s not aggressive, he touches it and gets sent off. Worst of all is he was sent to overturn it as a clear and obvious error. It’s shocking.
“We didn’t want to lose and we didn’t want the referee’s decisions to be so bad against us but we move on.”
United face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday in what could prove to be a defining result in the race for the Champions League places.
