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Lisandro Martinez was sent off much to Michael Carrick's dismay(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Furious Michael Carrick couldn't bear to look at Lisandro Martinez after the Manchester United defender's ridiculous sending off during their woeful 2-0 loss against Chelsea. Martinez, 28, received a second yellow card after jumping into Wesley Fofana while leading with his arm at a free-kick, which he'd given away and was booked after.
Referee Peter Bankes was instructed to review the incident on VAR and subsequently awarded a penalty as well as giving Martinez his marching orders. The Argentine trudged off the pitch and as he made his way towards the tunnel, Carrick didn't even look at him.
The United manager was talking to assistant Steve Holland, as the duo tried desperately to find a way back into the game. Cole Palmer scored the penalty to double Chelsea's lead, with Morgan Rogers having put them ahead shortly the half-time.
Carrick responded by making two substitutions while Martinez headed for an early bath. TNT Sports commentator Ally McCoist slammed the 28-year-old by saying: "That's ridiculous defending, you're not on side you're just on any side and jumping into him.
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"That's a penalty. He's just jumped into him to prevent a header... It's unacceptable. Lisandro Martinez just runs right across and it's absolutely crazy. He's let everyone down, his team-mates, everything."
Mark Schwarzer added on BBC Radio 5 Live: "For a defender of his level, that is just lazy. That is almost unforgivable. He leads with his arm into the face of Fofana."
Chelsea nearly had a third when Palmer sent Estevao through on goal and he finished high above Senne Lammens, but it was his ruled offside. United goalkeeper Lammens then denied Estevao from distance, producing a good save before 10 minutes of stoppage time was added on.
Peter Bankes sent Lisandro Martinez off following a VAR review(Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
The Red Devils came inches from getting back into the game when Bryan Mbeumo hit a rasping half-volley from outside of the penalty area, only for it to rattle the crossbar off the the fingertips of Mike Penders. Chelsea managed the closing stages well and condemned United to a ninth game without a win.
It leaves Carrick under increased pressure, having avoided the sack earlier this week after his side were hammered 3-0 at home to Bournemouth last Sunday. Should at least two of Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest, Coventry and Sunderland win, United will end the weekend in the relegation zone.