Manchester United appealed Lisandro Martínez's red card against Leeds United for a hair pull on Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Lisandro Martínez had been crucial to Michael Carrick since the head coach took over from Rúben Amorim in January. The Argentine had nailed down a partnership with Harry Maguire until he picked up an injury in the days after the 1-1 draw against West Ham United.
Martínez returned to training during the three-day camp in Ireland, which was even more important after Maguire's red card against AFC Bournemouth before Manchester United's 24-day break.
Fans expected Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro to lineup together against Leeds United, but Martínez's return kept Heaven on the sidelines. Martínez and Yoro were expected to start against Chelsea, too, but the former Ajax defender was dismissed against Leeds for a hair pull on Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
"That decision was one of the worst I've ever seen," said Michael Carrick. "He [Calvert-Lewin] can throw his arms in Licha's [Martinez's] face - and then he's sent off. Shocking.
"I don't even know what it looks like. It's not a pull, it's not a tug, it's not aggressive. He touches it and he gets sent off.
"Worse of all, he gets sent to overturn it, a clear and obvious error. Shocking. He is off balance and grappling.
"We have got to be careful where the game is going. It is a shocking decision, absolutely shocking."
Martínez appeal decision confirmed
In the lead-up to the Chelsea game, Carrick all but confirmed that the decision would be appealed, but Simon Stone of the BBC has now confirmed the FA have rejected the appeal.
The hair pull was said not to be an "obvious error", while the FA said: "[hair pulling] ought not to be tolerated and should be discouraged."
Martínez will miss the visit of Brentford on Monday evening and a huge clash against Liverpool the following weekend, which will be important in both sides' European hopes for next season.
United sit third in the Premier League on 58 points, but Liverpool are just three points behind in fifth place. Five teams will get Champions League football this season, so both look set for a spot in Europe's elite competition.
However, if United beat Liverpool at Old Trafford, they could bring Brighton into the mix. The seagulls are in sixth place on 50 points, although they have played a game more than the top five.
Heaven and Maguire
With Martínez unavailable through suspension and Leny Yoro looking like he could miss this game through injury, Michael Carrick will turn to Ayden Heaven and Harry Maguire against Brentford, with Noussair Mazraoui dropping to the bench.
Mazraoui started alongside Heaven against Chelsea and impressed out of position, as he has so many times since joining United for just £12 million in 2024, but he will not keep his place with Maguire returning, especially after the England international signed a new contract to keep him at the club beyond the end of this season.
Heaven was excellent against Chelsea, despite a shaky start to the game. His aggressive nature helped United keep Chelsea at bay, who have since parted with their manager, Liam Rosenior, after just four months in charge.
Maguire's return is crucial to dealing with Brentford. Igor Thiago will likely lead the line and his physicallity may have been too much for Yoro to handle.