The Athletic reporter Laurie Whitwell has now revealed Manchester United’s feelings around their Premier League appeal for Lisandro Martinez’s red card to be overturned.
Lisandro Martinez has been banned for three Premier League matches after the 28-year-old Argentine was sent off in Manchester United’s 2-1 defeat to Leeds United.
The World Cup winner was deemed to have pulled on the hair of Leeds United and England striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin during the second half of the United match.
VAR intervened over the incident and Paul Tierney reviewed the decision at the pitchside monitor before the Premier League referee brandished a red card.
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Lisandro Martinez looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leeds United at Old Trafford in 2026 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts – CameraSport via Getty Images
Lisandro Martinez has been SENT OFF for a hair pull – Let us know your thoughts…
It was described as 'violent conduct'
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Laurie Whitwell says Man Utd are not optimistic about the Premier League’s verdict on Lisandro Martinez’s red card
Lisandro Martinez had returned to the Manchester United XI for the Leeds United match after being sidelined for five Premier League fixtures with a calf injury.
The Argentina defender had put on a strong showing in his first fixture back from injury at Old Trafford before the controversial decision from referee Paul Tierney.
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Speaking on the Talk of the Devils podcast, Laurie Whitwell admitted that Man Utd are not convinced that the Premier League will U-turn on Martinez’s sending off.
However, The Athletic reporter did say that Martinez’s ban could be reduced to the current three matches if the Premier League do change the punishment.
“You know, two specific points of the PGMO [Professional Game Match Officials Limited] rule book that could be tested in terms of force and challenging for the ball,” he said.
“But from what I understand, the sense is that United aren’t that hopeful about it being successful. Potentially, it could be reduced from a three-game ban, I think.
“But again, I’m not sure there’s [sic] loads of belief in that.”
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SURELY Ayden Heaven will start vs Chelsea? Or will Carrick try and find another solution? 🤔
Heaven played more minutes under Fletcher than so far under Carrick!
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Michael Carrick prepares Man Utd for the next three Premier League matches without Lisandro Martinez
Martinez’s return in the post-March break was a major moment for Man Utd amid the long-term injury absence of Matthijs de Ligt and suspension of Harry Maguire.
Harry Maguire sat out the Leeds match for a one-match ban before the Football Association (FA) extended his punishment to Saturday’s encounter against Chelsea.
Martinez, Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt will all be out of the Premier League visit to Stamford Bridge amid the defensive Man Utd woes to interim boss Michael Carrick.
Michael Carrick will now likely turn to Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro for his defensive partnership for Man Utd’s Premier League clash with Chelsea this weekend.
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