Need to know
Lisandro Martinez has left Michael Carrick in a tough position following his red card against Leeds United in the Premier League
Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United reacts after being shown a red card for pulling the hair of Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Leeds United (not pictured) during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leeds United at Old Trafford on April 13, 2026 in Manchester, England.
Lisandro Martinez will miss a total of three Premier League matches(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Which Manchester United games will Lisandro Martinez miss?
Why was Lisandro Martinez initially banned?: Lisandro Martinez was banned following a straight red card for violent conduct during Manchester United's 2-1 defeat to Leeds United. The Argentine defender was sent off in the 56th minute after a VAR review judged him to have pulled the hair of Dominic Calvert-Lewin during a physical tussle.
Appeal decision: The Football Association dismissed the appeal after manager Michael Carrick initially labelled the referee's decision as "shocking" and "concerning." Despite the club's vocal disappointment, the three-match suspension has been upheld, meaning the defender will not be eligible to play until the ban is fully served.
Which games will Martinez miss?: Martinez is set to miss three crucial Premier League fixtures as United pushes for a Champions League qualification spot. In addition to the match against Chelsea, he will be sidelined for the upcoming games against Brentford and Liverpool.
Chelsea vs Manchester United details: The high-stakes clash is scheduled to kick off at 8pm on Saturday, April 18. This late evening slot at Stamford Bridge is expected to be a pivotal moment in the race for a top-five finish this season.
How to watch Chelsea vs Utd: Fans in the UK can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, where the broadcast will begin at 7pm. The channel will provide an hour of pre-match build-up, analysis, and interviews before the action starts.
UK radio coverage: Comprehensive radio coverage for the game will be provided by talkSPORT, which has the rights to broadcast the match live across the country. Supporters can also tune into local updates via BBC Radio Manchester or listen to national commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Man Utd team news: Manchester United face a defensive crisis as Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt are also unavailable for the trip to London. Leny Yoro is also ruled out, meaning Carrick will be relying on Ayden Heaven as the main centre-half for the match.
Chelsea team news: Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior is dealing with his own selection headaches but should welcome back Enzo Fernandez after a club-imposed suspension. The Blues are also monitoring the fitness of Reece James and Benoit Badiashile to see if they can feature in the matchday squad.
Head-to-head record: The head-to-head record between these two clubs is famously tight, often cited as the Premier League's most drawn fixture. Out of their previous encounters in the competition, the sides have finished level on 27 occasions, showcasing how difficult it is to separate them.