Lisandro Martinez will sit out of Manchester United’s next three matches after his red card against Leeds United.
United fell to a 2-1 defeat to their old rivals at Old Trafford on Monday night, missing the prospect to tighten their grip on third spot within the battle for Champions League qualification.
Martinez returned to the starting XI to partner Leny Yoro on the back having missed his side’s last five games with a calf injury.
However the Argentina international was sent off just before the hour mark.
Martinez was judged to have pulled Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair as they battled for an aerial ball.
While the incident was not picked up in real time, VAR John Brooks advised match official Paul Tierney to review the incident with the red card emerging shortly after.
Premier League Match Centre confirmed Martinez was sent off for violent conduct which is able to earn Martinez a three-match ban.
It immediately rules the defender out of Saturday’s game against Chelsea – a significant game within the battle for Champions League qualification.
Martinez may even miss key home games against Brentford and the visit of Liverpool on 3 May.
United boss Michael Carrick was fuming with the choice, furious Leeds’ opening goal was allowed to face as Calvert-Lewin and Leny Yoro tangled before Noah Okafor slotted home the opener.
It was United’s second red card in as many games with Harry Maguire dismissed within the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth last month.
‘We didn’t start the sport particularly well. We conceded, which got here after Leny Yoro got a forearm smash at the back of his head,’ Carrick told Sky Sports.
‘They didn’t determine to overturn that, which was an enormous moment in the sport. We didn’t quite have the rhythm, we didn’t click. We had some moments nevertheless it wasn’t there for big parts of the half.
‘I believed the boys stayed positive and fought for every part within the second half, after a shocking decision to send Licha [Martinez] off.
‘That’s two games in a row we’ve had those decisions go against us, but that one was one in all the worst I’ve seen.’
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