Lisandro Martinez shuffled toward the tunnel, head down and quiet.
Chelsea fans roared and jeered, their shouts echoing around him. United coach Jonny Evans tried a quick word, yet Martinez ignored it.
Martinez has reached the summit before, lifting the 2022 World Cup with Argentina and appearing in the previous summer’s final.
Yet at Stamford Bridge, Carrick’s call for senior leadership was met with the opposite from Martinez.
Just 18 days after he criticised United’s summer signings, Martinez erupted in a meltdown that would make many fans wonder if the club should have cut the 28‑year‑old.
The ex‑Ajax defender helped United look sharper, and Carrick’s side deserved a halftime lead. In my view, his influence was fleeting.
Morgan Rogers’ second‑half strike gave Chelsea the lead, but United’s display still sparked hope among their supporters.
Then, in just 1 minute 23 seconds, Martinez’s two fouls dropped United to 2‑0 and a man short, allowing Chelsea to cruise home.
That disastrous spell will linger in fans’ memories.
Carrick avoided eye contact as Martinez trudged off.
His attention shifted to devising a plan with assistant Steve Holland for the remainder of the match.
When queried about feeling let down, Carrick admitted he hadn’t re‑watched the incident.
“I haven’t seen the replay, so I can’t judge,” Carrick said, noting it was a pivotal moment.
He added, “Conceding the second goal and going down to ten men at that point hugely affected the outcome.”
For context, Martinez, already booked, intervened as Estevao swung the corner, aiming to block Wesley Fofana at the far post.
He lifted his elbow, striking the defender’s face. Missed live, VAR official James Bell prompted referee Peter Bankes to review, leading to the clear decision.
World Cup final referee Darren Cann labeled Martinez’s conduct “inexplicable”.
“He deserved the red for two bookable offences and a needless penalty after the reckless challenge on Fofana,” the official added.
Chelsea outclassed ten‑man United, adding pressure on Carrick
United escaped a third straight three‑goal loss—something not seen since 1961—thanks to a close VAR call disallowing Estevao’s offside effort.
Martinez faces suspension for next Saturday’s league clash with Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
“Down 2‑0 and a man short, the match was essentially over,”
“A sent‑off player apologising can ease tension, yet Martinez is piling on errors right now,”
Joe Cole, former Chelsea and England midfielder, was blunt on TNT Sports.
“Wearing United colours, he’s repeatedly at the wrong end of incidents,” Cole stated, adding, “His chapter at the club appears finished.”
Danny Murphy, ex‑England midfielder, delivered equal scorn on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“Martinez owes explanations; the opening goal stemmed largely from him, and the red was absurd,” Murphy remarked.
“He’ll likely apologise in the locker room, yet his mindset isn’t fit for play. He’s unreliable—a liability,”
When asked about selecting Martinez again, Murphy replied, “No—I wouldn’t, he seems checked out. His head’s not in the game, and his long‑term future looks bleak.”
“Carrick must make decisive choices; a liability has no place in the squad. Such petulance on the field is unacceptable,”
“His recent form has been subpar, compounded by injuries. He isn’t the solution,”
Are United facing relegation?
While Martinez’s conduct was indefensible, United were already trailing after the reduction to ten men.
Thus, Carrick deserves considerable sympathy.
The first half saw United outplay their recent three‑goal defeats to Como and Bournemouth; they were determined, focused, yet painfully wasteful for Carrick.
Four clear chances vanished. Bruno Fernandes and Amad both blasted wide when they should have found the net.
Chelsea keeper Mike Penders produced two superb saves, and Bryan Mbeumo’s powerful strike later stayed out.
From the bench, Carrick likely questioned whether his fortunes could ever shift.
United now endure a nine‑match winless streak across competitions, their poorest run since 1988‑89.
Teetering near relegation for the first time since Ferguson’s early era, United host Serie A side Roma on Tuesday, needing a win to keep Champions League hopes alive.
Before the game, many expected Carrick to take charge.
“No words I say will change anything,” Carrick admitted. “We must move on and win matches—that’s all it takes.”
“Their approach, the quality we displayed in the first half, offers encouragement—we must build on that,”
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