Lisandro Martinez suspension length confirmed after hair pulling incident

Lisandro Martinez will serve his full three-match suspension after being controversially sent off for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair, Michael Carrick has confirmed.

Martinez saw red on Monday night after appearing to yank Calvert-Lewin’s bun as the pair grappled for an aerial duel. The Argentina international had an an early shower as United were beaten 2-1 by Leeds.

Carrick was left fuming by the decision, which he described at the time as ‘shocking’.

“It’s not a pull, it’s not a tug, it’s not aggressive, he touches it and gets sent off,” he said. “Worst of all, is [referee Paul Tierney] was sent to overturn it as a clear error. It’s shocking.

Reports emerged this week suggesting United were prepared to appeal against the decision in a bid to have Martinez’s suspension struck off.

Lisandro Martinez saw red as Manchester United suffered defeat against Leeds. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Speaking on Friday, Carrick would not confirm whether United had sent an appeal, but did clarify that Martinez would serve his full three-match suspension for violent conduct.

“We didn’t agree with [the decision], it’s obvious how I felt after the game, and I still feel that way now,” he declared. “I don’t want to go into it now, it is what it is. We have to accept it and move on.”

The suspension rules him out of upcoming matches against Chelsea, Liverpool and Brentford.

In what will be a huge setback for Carrick, Harry Maguire is also suspended for this weekend’s trip to Stamford Bridge. The England international during the week saw his red card suspension extended by one further match for misconduct against an official.

Carrick reasserted his frustration with that decision: “To be honest, there’s not much to react to. I’m disappointed, of course. We’ve had a few reasons to be disappointed over the last few weeks. We have to move on because the decision has been made.”