Manchester United could be without two of their main centre-halves as Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire face possible bans ahead of their trip to Chelsea this weekend
Lisandro Martinez was shown a red card for a hair pull against Leeds
Lisandro Martinez was shown a red card for a hair pull against Leeds(Image: Getty Images)
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Manchester United face the prospect of missing their first choice centre-half pairing this week after Lisandro Martinez's red card with Harry Maguire also awaiting an FA ruling on his punishment.
The Red Devils face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this weekend with the Blues aiming to bolster their own Champions League chances. United's place in the top five had looked relatively secure, but Michael Carrick will be seeking an instant response to their shock Leeds loss as they bid to finish strongly following their mid-season revival.
Their defeat came with United down to ten men after Martinez was sent-off, following a VAR intervention. The Argentine was dismissed for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin's hair, a decision that stunned plenty of observers.
Maguire was already missing as he served his ban. The Englishman was charged with "improper conduct" for allegedly using abusive or insulting language toward the fourth official after being sent off at Bournemouth.
The FA are still casting their eye over that and could further extend Maguire's ban given the nature of his offence. If that were to happen then United could see their resources stretched when they head to west London.
It would likely leave Carrick having to play Leny Yoro, who started in the loss on Monday night, alongside youngster Ayden Heaven, who has started eight times in the league this term. The United boss was left seething that Martinez was given a red card against Leeds with an appeal likely coming.
He told Sky Sports: "It's not a pull, it's not a tug, it's not aggressive, he touches it and gets sent off. Worst of all is he was sent to overturn it as a clear and obvious error. It's shocking.
Harry Maguire was sent off against Bournemouth and later charged
Harry Maguire was sent off against Bournemouth and later charged(Image: Warren Little, Getty Images)
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"He's off-balance because of that, he half touches the back of his hair which pulls the bobble out and leads it to look like - I don't even know what it looks like. That's two games in a row we've had those decisions go against us, but that one was one of the worst I've seen."
United are sat on 55 points, level with fourth placed Aston Villa, who sit below them on goal difference. Liverpool are in fifth with Chelsea sixth, but a win for the Blues on Saturday night could see a scenario where third to sixth are separated by just four points with five games left.
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