Lisandro Martinez went from hero to zero from Manchester United as a moment of defensive genius was followed by a bizarre hair pull to end his evening early at Old Trafford.
A brace inside the first 30 minutes from Noah Okafor gave Leeds a crucial two-goal advantage with Daniel Farke’s side hugely deserving of their lead at the break.
The visitors hit United with constant waves of attack and ought to have been three goals to the good when Ao Tanaka picked up the ball in United’s defensive box, with only keeper Senne Lammens to beat.
The Japanese midfielder shimmied to his left, sitting the Belgian stopper down and leaving just an empty goal in front of him.
But as he looked to direct the ball into the net, Argentine defender slid in to provide a crucial block and keep the scoreline at 2-0.
That moment provided a rare opportunity to applaud for a frustrated home fanbase who have expected more from Carrick’s side, with the Red Devils searching for a return to Champions League football next season.
United were booed off at the half time whistle and former captain Roy Keane insisted his old team should be happy to only be two behind at the break.
‘Man Utd will be delighted it’s only two,’ he told Monday Night Football. ‘It goes to show that Man United have turned up thinking they will automatically win the game by just turning up.
‘United aren’t running, the two midfielders are not at the races.’
On Martinez’s goal-saving challenge, Keane added: ‘Oh my goodness. You think it’s bad enough at two. United messing around at the back again, lack of concentration, credit to Martinez if that goes in it’s game over.
‘It sums up United, poor decision making, sloppy, I can’t believe how bad Man United have been.’
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher said United had been ‘battered’ in the first half.
‘Man United have been absolutely battered. [They] are fortunate it’s not 3-0. They [Leeds] have passed Man United off the park.’
But Martinez’s moment of acclaim was clouded early in the second half when referee Paul Tierney was asked by VAR to review an incident between the Argentine and Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Replays showed Martinez pulling the England striker’s hair as the pair competed for the ball, leaving the official with no choice but to give the defender his marching orders.
