The games Lisandro Martinez will miss for Man Utd after red card vs Leeds | Football

Lisandro Martinez will sit out of Manchester United’s next three matches after his red card against Leeds United.

United fell to a 2-1 defeat to their old rivals at Old Trafford on Monday night, missing the chance to tighten their grip on third spot in the battle for Champions League qualification.

Martinez returned to the starting XI to partner Leny Yoro at the back having missed his side’s last five games with a calf injury.

But the Argentina international was sent off just before the hour mark.

Martinez was judged to have pulled Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair as they battled for an aerial ball.

While the incident was not picked up in real time, VAR John Brooks advised match official Paul Tierney to review the incident with the red card emerging shortly after.

Premier League Match Centre confirmed Martinez was sent off for violent conduct which will earn Martinez a three-match ban.

It immediately rules the defender out of Saturday’s game against Chelsea – a vital game in the battle for Champions League qualification.

Martinez will also miss key home games against Brentford and the visit of Liverpool on 3 May.

United boss Michael Carrick was fuming with the decision, furious Leeds’ opening goal was allowed to stand as Calvert-Lewin and Leny Yoro tangled before Noah Okafor slotted home the opener.

It was United’s second red card in as many games with Harry Maguire dismissed in the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth last month.

‘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.

‘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.’

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