Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez was fortunate to flee a purple card after replays confirmed that he scraped his boot off the face and head of Patrick Bamford in the course of the pulsating 2-2 draw with Leeds. The bodily Argentine centre-back, who's adored at Previous Trafford due to his hands-on strategy to defending, could have overstepped the mark this although - regardless of escaping punishment.
With United trailing heading into the break following Wilfried Gnonto's quick-fire opener, Martinez appeared to take his frustrations out on market Bamford as they battled for the ball.
Bamford slammed into the previous Ajax man in first-half stoppage time earlier than the pair each went to floor following the affect of the collision.
However as Martinez climbed to his toes, he appeared to maneuver his boot towards the face and head of Bamford earlier than seemingly noting his actions as a part of an try to plead his innocence.
Leeds frontman Bamford definitely felt the affect of the incident as he writhed round in ache on the turf however VAR wasn't .
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Martinez can undoubtedly rely himself fortunate that he prevented punishment on this event as he continues to defend on the sting.
The World Cup winner appears to relish a battle and grapple along with his markers, even when typically he concedes unnecessary fouls.
Ex-United centre-back Rio Ferdinand just lately declared that Martinez was the very best central defender within the Premier League as he lavished the Argentine with reward.
He instructed FIVE: "On type proper now, I do not suppose there's actually a lot argument coming from wherever else. I feel he is dominant, he is aggressive, he is a frontrunner, he communicates nicely, he exhibits character, he is there in massive moments.
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"However I used to be one of many ones questioning, 'Is he bodily gonna be capable to compete right here if groups isolate him, if groups isolate him?'
"That is the place Erik ten Hag has been assured in tactically with the ability to maintain groups away from with the ability to dominate sufficient possession to isolate somebody like Martinez."
He later added: "And, up until now, he hasn't been uncovered in that sense. Regularly, week after week, are we not sitting there going, 'That is a recurring drawback, there. It continues to occur, somebody's pulling out on him and leaping over him or bullying him bodily'.
"We have not seen that, that hasn't turn into the narrative, and it's a must to say nicely completed to him but in addition nicely completed to the recruitment to this point."
United survived a significant scare towards Leeds on Wednesday night time having trailed the manager-less Whites 2-0 within the second half earlier than Marcus Rashford impressed a late fightback.
The 25-year-old bagged his eleventh top-flight aim of the season earlier than Jadon Sancho levelled issues up on his return to Premier League motion.
Sancho was very spectacular from the bench, seemingly justifying Erik ten Hag's determination to ship him to Holland to sharpen his health ranges.
United now journey to Elland Street on Sunday as they put together to hold out revenge on Leeds within the return fixture.