Lisandro Martinez was ‘very lucky’ not to be sent off for lunge on Cole Palmer, says Gary Neville… and even Roy Keane admits it was a ‘nasty challenge’

Manchester United were ‘lucky’ to end Sunday’s game against Chelsea with 11 players, according to Gary Neville.

United centre back Lisandro Martinez was shown a yellow card by referee Robert Jones in the third minute of second-half added time after fouling Cole Palmer.

But former United captain Neville was surprised that Jones was not advised by the VAR to reconsider Martinez’s punishment.

Martinez, who was nicknamed ‘the Butcher’ at previous club Ajax, flew into a challenge on Palmer and the studs of his right boot made contact with the Chelsea star’s left knee.

Reacting to the incident during his live commentary for Sky Sports, Neville said: ‘When you go that high I think you’re asking for a red card. I think he’s lucky. When you go knee-high and the ball’s gone, I think it’s a red.’

Palmer pictured on the ground after the foul, which came in the 93rd minute at Old Trafford

Ref Robert Jones showed Martinez a yellow card but many viewers felt it should have been red

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean was less certain. He commented: ‘There’s not a lot of force in it. It’s not as bad as I thought when I first saw it.’

But legendary former United midfielder Roy Keane agreed with Neville.

Speaking after the game, Keane described Martinez as ‘a lucky boy’ and suggested that his ‘nasty challenge’ on Palmer was likely provoked by the Chelsea star skilfully flicking the ball over his head.

‘He won’t be happy with Palmer making a fool of him,’ said Keane. ‘It’s a nasty challenge. But he doesn’t catch him properly. It’s down the side of his leg.’

Keane added: ‘If he had got sent off there would have been no complaints.’

Meanwhile, Chelsea legend Frank Lampard and former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp both agreed that Martinez should have been sent off.

Lampard said: ‘I think it’s a red card for the intention.’

Redknapp concluded: ‘It’s reckless, its nasty, he knows exactly what he’s doing. He’s got that nasty streak in him. Look at how high he gets his leg, there’s no need for it.’ 

Former Man United captain Gary Neville said that Martinez was ‘lucky’ not to be sent off

Fellow Sky Sports pundits Roy Keane, Frank Lampard and Jamie Redknapp (left to right) also thought a red card should have been shown

Former Chelsea and England midfielder Lampard said: ‘I think it’s a red card for the intention’ 

Sunday’s game ended in a 1-1 draw and it left United 13th in the Premier League table with just 12 points from their first 10 games. Meanwhile, Chelsea ended the weekend in fourth spot with 18 points.

United took the lead in the 70th minute when Bruno Fernandes converted a penalty kick. But Chelsea hit back less than five minutes later when Moises Caicedo netted his first goal of the season.