Coach complains after being sent off
“One of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen”
April 14, 2026 – 9:31 a.mReading time: 2 minutes
The “Red Devils” have suffered a setback in the fight for the Champions League. One scene in particular upsets the coach.
Manchester United has achieved a turnaround in recent months that few people expected. Since the installation of coach Michael Carrick in January, the traditional club has worked its way up from mid-table to third place. There was a setback on Monday evening.
In the home game against Leeds United, trained by German coach Daniel Farke, they lost 2-1. In the eleventh game under Carrick it was only the second defeat. After the game, the coach was less annoyed about the defeat and more about the sending off of his defender Lisandro Martínez. “It’s a shocking decision to send Licha off,” complained the coach on Sky. “It’s been two games in a row where decisions like this have gone against us, but this one was one of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen.”
Martínez had caught opponent Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair with his hand during a duel, loosening the attacker’s braid slightly. After viewing the video footage, referee Paul Tierney interpreted the action as hair-pulling – and therefore assault. “It’s not a pull, it’s not a tug, it’s not aggressive – he just touches him and gets sent off,” Carrick said angrily of his perception.
Despite being outnumbered, Casemiro subsequently reduced the deficit for Manchester United, but was unable to equalize. With 55 points, the 20-time English champions remain third in the table and are seven points ahead of the first non-Champions League place. With six games still to play, United’s starting position remains good.
