The winger played for both teams during his career but was clear on his thoughts on one particular referee call
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
05:00, 15 Apr 2026
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Paul Tierney checks the VAR monitor
Former Leeds United and Manchester United winger Lee Sharpe says Lisandro Martinez’s red card in Monday night’s clash between his two former clubs was “a joke of a decision”.
Martinez was sent off in the 56th-minute after VAR called Paul Tierney over to the touchline screen to recommend a dismissal with the Argentine seen grabbing the hair of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Michael Carrick, Manchester United caretaker boss, called the decision “shocking”, adding: “that one was one of the worst I’ve seen”. He felt there was no aggression in the action, unlike - in his view - Calvert-Lewin’s arm amid his duel with Leny Yoro in the build up to Noah Okafor’s opener.
Former left winger Sharpe played for both Uniteds during his career - 261 games for Manchester and 37 for Leeds - but he has a clear view on the red card decision. “I think it's a joke of a decision,” he told Leeds Live.
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“I don't think it’s a sending off. I think if you're going to book him and give him a free kick, I think that's fine. But it's hardly violent conduct. I don't think he's doing anybody any serious damage with what he's done.
“I'm not sure if he's done it intently or not. Only he will know that. But no, I think it is way over the mark and the game's gone as far as if that's a sending off of violent conduct, that's ridiculous.”
Asked if the rules need to be altered in regards to hair pulling, Sharpe added: “Without a shadow of a doubt, yeah. And I know the referee's just playing by the rules, but yeah, I think that's wrong.”
Sharpe - who did not think Calvert-Lewin’s duel with Yoro warranted a foul - was equally clear that Leeds deserved the win with an “exceptional” performance. He believes Daniel Farke will now ultimately guide the Whites to safety.
Daniel Farke celebrates with the Leeds United support at full time
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Daniel Farke celebrates with the Leeds United support at full time(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
He said: “There was talk about Leeds letting him go and swapping the manager because of the run of games they were on [before December]. They stuck with him and since then I think we've seen what Leeds can do.
“I think that they've played really well against the big teams. I think they have probably been a little bit unlucky in other games and then they go there last night, they play with aggression, they play with pace, they play with organisation.
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“No matter how well or how bad Man United played, they went there and could have scored five or six last night. It was an incredible performance and they looked far better than the league position suggests.
“They looked like they were a top 10 team quite easily last night so I think the manager's doing a great job. I think they will stay up and I think next season you'll probably see a better Leeds team with a stronger manager for the experience of it.”
Lee Sharpe was speaking to Leeds Live courtesy of Premier League betting site BetWright.