Overview
- The Argentina defender, back from a two‑month calf layoff, was shown a straight red in Monday’s 2-1 home loss to Leeds after a video review (VAR) alerted referee Paul Tierney that he had pulled Dominic Calvert‑Lewin’s hair.
- Carrick said Tuesday that the call was “disgraceful,” and United expects Martínez to serve a two‑game suspension that sidelines him for Chelsea and Brentford.
- Calvert‑Lewin said he felt his hair tugged and reported it to the referee, noting the decision was the official’s to make.
- The sending‑off kept United on 55 points in third place and was reported as a setback to Martínez’s push to regain fitness for Argentina before the 2026 World Cup.
- Earlier in the match, Martínez made a goal‑line clearance, while TV analysts Roy Keane and Jamie Carragher argued the red card was too harsh in another VAR‑driven hair‑pull incident.