Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has backed the decision to send off Lisandro Martinez during Manchester United’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea, insisting that VAR officials handled the incident correctly.

The Argentine defender was dismissed after receiving two yellow cards during Saturday’s Premier League encounter at Stamford Bridge. His second booking followed a confrontation with Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana during a corner-kick situation.

Martinez was accused of raising his elbow and striking Fofana in the face while attempting to challenge for position. Although referee Peter Bankes initially failed to spot the incident, VAR officials reviewed the footage before the defender was shown a second yellow card and sent off.

According to a report by the London Evening Standard on Monday, November 2, 2026, Gallagher supported the intervention, describing the decision-making process as an example of how VAR should operate.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the former referee argued that Martinez’s movement was reckless and suggested that the defender had shown little interest in playing the ball.

He said: “Perfect process. Referee didn’t pick it up on the field. Definitely a reckless challenge. Look how far Martinez goes. Never once looks at the ball.”

Former Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood also criticised the on-field officials for initially overlooking the incident, questioning how Bankes failed to identify the contact despite appearing to have a clear view of the confrontation.

Sherwood expressed his frustration, arguing that the referee was close enough to recognise what had happened without requiring assistance from VAR.

He said: “The referee is looking straight at it. I don’t know what he is looking at. When the corner comes in, you’re looking for contact.”

He added that the official was only a few yards away and should have been able to make the correct decision himself.

Sherwood subsequently joked that Manchester United manager Michael Carrick should appeal the dismissal and request that Martinez receive a straight red card instead, which would increase the potential suspension from one match to three.

Former footballer Jay Bothroyd also agreed with the decision, suggesting that using an elbow to make contact with an opponent’s face could have been interpreted as violent conduct because of the potential danger involved.

The dismissal further compounded Manchester United’s disappointing afternoon at Stamford Bridge, where their 2-0 defeat extended their difficult run of results.

With Martinez now facing a suspension, Carrick must consider his defensive options as United attempt to recover from another setback in an increasingly challenging season.