Fans call Martinez ‘CRIMINAL’ who avoids red card for ugly two-footed lunge

FANS are convinced Lisandro Martinez deserved an early bath following an X-rated tackle against Crystal Palace.

The Man Utd defender enraged Palace supporters and players with a two-footed lunge on Daichi Kamada.

Martinez leapt into the wild challenge just after the hour mark of the 0-0 stalemate.

The Argentinian centre-back was looking to win the ball back on the edge of the Palace box as United pushed for the opener.

As Kamada attempted to clear, Martinez raced in, leaving the floor and jumping with both feet into the tackle.

The 26-year-old landed on the ball, only for referee David Coote to immediately blow for a foul.

As slow-motion replays showed Martinez leave the ground, Sky Sports commentator Alan Smith gasped live on air: "I just don't know why you would do that."

Martinez did his best to look innocent as Coote brandished the yellow card.

But plenty of viewers at home felt the Utd star should have seen red.

One fan raged on X: "Lisandro Martinez is a criminal."

Another said: "Lisandro Martinez should absolutely be given a red card for that tackle. Whether there was contact or not that’s endangering an opponent."

While a third commented: "Lisandro Martinez should not be getting away with this type of tackle, the intention alone worth a red card."

And a fourth added: "Wild, dangerous, completely out of control. The intent was there to seriously hurt Kamada."

The Premier League confirmed VAR officials had reviewed the tackle.

But they deemed there was "no contact" with Kamada, upholding the decision of a yellow card.

The Premier League Match Centre X account wrote: "The referee issued a yellow card to Martinez for a challenge on Kamada.

"VAR checked for a potential red card and confirmed the referee’s call of no red card, deeming this was a reckless challenge and made no contact with Kamada."

Erik Ten Hag's side were left frustrated in South East London as they drew a blank just days after hitting seven past Barnsley in the League Cup.

United dominated the game but could not turn any of their possession into goals.

The stalemate leaves them sitting 11th in the Premier League table, with 7 points from 5 games.

Palace meanwhile are still searching for a first league win of the season.