Manchester United Boss Michael Carrick Slams Referee Following Home Defeat to Leeds

By Eppe Franklyne

Manchester United interim manager Michael Carrick has lashed out at officiating standards following a frustrating 2-1 loss to Leeds United at Old Trafford this Monday. The match was defined by a controversial second-half red card shown to defender Lisandro Martinez, a decision Carrick labeled as “shocking” and “one of the worst” he has ever seen.

The incident occurred when Martinez was judged to have pulled the hair of Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Referee Paul Tierney initially allowed play to continue but issued the red card after being instructed by VAR to consult the pitch-side monitor. Carrick argued that the contact was accidental and lacked aggression, triggered by Calvert-Lewin’s initial physical challenge on the Argentine defender. “It’s not a pull, it’s not a tug… he touches it and he gets sent off,” Carrick remarked, expressing disbelief that the VAR intervention was used to overturn what he considered a non-obvious error.

The defeat was compounded by Leeds’ early dominance, as Noah Okafor netted a first-half brace to put the visitors in control. Although Casemiro managed to pull one back for the Red Devils, the numerical disadvantage proved too much to overcome. Carrick also voiced frustration over the opening goal, claiming Leny Yoro was fouled by Calvert-Lewin in the build-up—a moment he felt the officials also handled poorly.

Despite the setback, Manchester United remains in third place in the Premier League, maintaining a seven-point cushion over sixth-placed Chelsea. However, with only one win in their last four outings, the pressure is mounting ahead of a massive showdown at Stamford Bridge this Saturday. With Martinez facing a potential three-match ban, Carrick must now decide whether the club will lodge a formal appeal to ensure his key defender is available for the critical run-in toward Champions League qualification.

Do you believe that VAR’s intervention in “off-the-ball” incidents like hair-pulling is making the game too soft, or is it necessary for player safety?

Follow us for more