Manchester United interim boss Michael Carrick did not hold back following his side’s 1-2 defeat to Leeds United, launching a scathing critique of referee Paul Tierney. The focal point of Carrick’s frustration was the second-half dismissal of Lisandro Martinez, who was sent off after a VAR review for allegedly pulling the hair of striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The incident occurred at Old Trafford while United were already trailing to a first-half brace from Noah Okafor. Despite a rallying effort that saw Casemiro pull a goal back, the numerical disadvantage proved too much to overcome. Carrick labeled the dismissal “one of the worst I’ve seen,” arguing that the contact was accidental and triggered by an initial foul on the Argentine defender.
“It’s not a pull, it’s not a tug, it’s not aggressive,” Carrick insisted, suggesting that Martinez was merely off-balance. The manager was equally perplexed by the lack of VAR intervention earlier in the match, claiming Leny Yoro was victim to a “forearm smash” by Calvert-Lewin in the build-up to the opening goal.
This result marks only the second loss in 11 games for Carrick, but with Manchester United recording just one win in their last four, the pressure is mounting. While they remain third in the Premier League, the gap is closing. With a potential three-match ban looming for his star center-back, Carrick confirmed the club is considering an appeal before their high-stakes trip to Chelsea this Saturday.
Do you agree with Carrick that the red card was a “shocking” decision, or was the referee right to send Martinez off?
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