FA reject Lisandro Martinez appeal

Things are beginning to spiral at the worst possible time for Manchester United.

Momentum had already taken a hit after the defeat to Leeds United, but the situation has worsened significantly following a major disciplinary update that leaves Michael Carrick with limited options at the back.

According to The Sun, United have failed in their appeal against Lisandro Martinez’s red card, meaning the defender will now serve a suspension that rules him out of three crucial matches.

Lisandro Martinez was sent off during the 2-1 loss after being judged to have committed violent conduct for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair, an incident initially missed by referee Paul Tierney before VAR official John Brooks intervened and sent him to the monitor.

The decision has sparked debate across the football world, but the governing body has upheld the call, leaving United without one of their most aggressive and front-foot defenders during a key stretch of the season.

Lisandro Martinez will now miss the trip to Chelsea, as well as upcoming clashes against Brentford and Liverpool, fixtures that could ultimately define United’s Champions League push.

Carrick did not hide his frustration when reacting to the outcome, especially given the growing list of decisions that have gone against his side in recent weeks.

“To be honest, there’s not much we can react to.

“Massively disappointed for a few reasons over those type of situations over the past few weeks but we’ve got to move on.

“The decision has been made, something that we’re really disappointed with in many ways but we have to move on and we will do.

“We’re obviously disappointed, we didn’t agree with the outcome. I still feel that way.

“I don’t want to go into it now. It is what it is.

“We’ve been hit with some decisions and, at the end of the day, we’ve got to accept it whether we like it or not.”

The timing could not be worse, with United’s defensive depth now stretched to its limit as three of their most senior centre-backs are unavailable for the clash at Stamford Bridge.

Harry Maguire is suspended after his FA misconduct charge was upheld, while Matthijs de Ligt remains sidelined with a long-term back injury that has kept him out since November.

That leaves Carrick relying on youth, with Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven expected to step in under intense pressure.

Martinez’s absence is particularly frustrating given how disrupted his season has already been through injury setbacks.

The 28-year-old endured a difficult campaign physically, including a serious calf injury earlier in the year that ruled him out for an extended period after he aggravated a previous issue sustained in 2023.

He also missed time with muscular problems during the winter months, preventing him from building consistent rhythm just as United were trying to stabilise defensively.

Now suspension has halted his momentum once again.

The FA’s guidance around violent conduct leaves little room for interpretation, stating that any deliberate act of pulling an opponent’s hair with force is considered a non-footballing action and must be punished accordingly.

United argued that Lisandro Martinez was attempting to challenge for the ball and did not use excessive force, but that defence was ultimately rejected.

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