“Absolute joke” – Man Utd legend left fuming after ‘fair & square’ defeat to Leeds | OneFootball

Rio Ferdinand was absolutely livid with the refereeing in Manchester United’s defeat to Leeds United on Monday evening.

In his 11th match in charge, Michael Carrick suffered his second loss as MUFC boss. He also has seven wins and two draws on his record.

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Following a 24-day hiatus, the United faithful had been eagerly anticipating Monday’s clash, but the mood was rapidly dampened by Noah Okafor’s early opener.

Rio Ferdinand left bemused by Lisandro Martinez red card

Okafor returned to score a second for Leeds, after a series of poor clearances from Man Utd defenders. The Reds were hoping to turn things around after the break, but they were dealt an agonising blow when the VAR summoned Paul Tierney for an on-field review.

The match official was shown the footage of Lisandro Martinez grabbing Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s ponytail, which resulted in the Argentine’s dismissal.

Curiously, Man Utd improved after going down to 10 men. Casemiro pulled one back with a trademark header from a customary Bruno Fernandes cross, and they were painfully close to finding the equaliser. Nevertheless, the contest ended 2-1, with Leeds earning their first win at Old Trafford since 1981.

After the match, the vast majority of pundits and observers agreed that Lisandro’s action shouldn’t constitute an offence worthy of a red card.

Rio Ferdinand joined the queue, labelling the refereeing decision as an ‘absolute joke’.

“The refereeing decisions in this game were an absolute joke,” vented the legendary defender in a video posted on his X account.

“And then even worse is that, yeah, he does touch his hair, it’s fine. It’s not violent conduct. How is that deemed as violent conduct?! I don’t understand it.”

Ferdinand argues that Lisandro’s hair grab was less ‘violent’ than Calvert-Lewin’s deflating arms, but insists that both actions should be deemed normal in a physical duel.

“It’s not [as bad as] deflating arms much harder. And if you’re going to say anything violent out of two scenarios, it’s that!

“And I’m saying listen I think Dominic Calvert should be well within his rights. That’s within the rules I think it should be fine. I’ve got elbowed in my face loads. Not proper elbows, I’m talking about when your arms are fighting and jostling to get on the ball.

That’s normal! That’s football. But taken out of the hairband the way he did. Plaiting my kids’ hairs more violent than doing what I saw on TV last night. It is a joke I just can’t get my head round what is going on?”

Man Utd facing defensive crisis ahead of Chelsea

While Ferdinand firmly believes Man Utd were hard done by the refereeing, he insists that Leeds deserved the win by all means, having outplayed their hosts in the first half.

“And I am not sitting here trying to defend Man Utd. We lost the game fair and square to Leeds.

“Well done to Leeds United for winning their game at Old Trafford. Massive massive win for them. Especially in their fight stay up. Alright, but those decisions in this game were terrible.”

To make matters even worse for Man United, they could be without their three most experienced centre-backs for their crucial contest against Chelsea on Saturday at Stamford Bridge.

Martinez’s action could be deemed as ‘violent conduct’, which could earn the World Cup winner a three-match ban.

Moreover, Harry Maguire, who was sorely missed on Monday, could be slapped with a prolonged sentence. The Englishman was sent off against Bournemouth for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity. Moreover, he has been charged with ‘improper conduct’ for allegedly using foul language while addressing the fourth official while making his way out.

Finally, Matthijs de Ligt has been out of action since November due to a mysterious back injury, which could leave the young Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven as the only two available centre-backs at Carrick’s disposal.