Martínez's Red Card Deepens Manchester United Crisis, Joe Cole: His Time Is Up
Baca dalam 60 detik
- Manchester United menelan kekalahan 0-2 di markas Chelsea, memperpanjang rekor tanpa kemenangan menjadi sembilan laga di semua kompetisi.
- Lisandro Martínez diusir wasit setelah melanggar Wesley Fofana di kotak penalti, memicu penalti Cole Palmer yang mematikan peluang United.
- Mantan gelandang Chelsea Joe Cole menilai masa bakti Martínez di Old Trafford sudah selesai karena terlalu sering terlibat dalam insiden merugikan.
Manchester United produced another poor result after losing 0-2 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the early hours of Sunday (5/10/2025) WIB. The defeat extends the Red Devils' winless run to nine consecutive matches in all competitions, with only one win in the Premier League this season.
Coach Michael Carrick is facing mounting pressure. United had briefly offered hope in the first half through a Matheus Cunha chance that was ruled offside and a golden opportunity from Bruno Fernandes that went begging. However, Chelsea's lead came from a quick counter-attacking scheme: Romeo Lavia won the ball and released Morgan Rogers, who cut through the defense before beating goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
Disaster struck for United late in the match. Lisandro Martínez, who had already been booked, fouled Wesley Fofana again as Chelsea took a corner. Referee Peter Bankes, after reviewing the VAR monitor, awarded a penalty and a red card to the Argentine defender. Cole Palmer, stepping up as the taker, converted successfully even though Lammens got a touch on the ball, giving Chelsea a 2-0 lead and forcing United to play with ten men.
Sharp criticism came from former Chelsea midfielder and current TNT Sports pundit Joe Cole. He believes Martínez's future at Manchester United is over. "I'm still trying to work out Lisandro Martinez's red card. I don't know what's going through his head," Cole said, as quoted by BBC. "Whatever the next phase is for Manchester United, I think Martinez's time at the club is up. He's involved in too many incidents that cost the team. I think it's done," he said.
Cole's assessment is not without basis. Martínez is known as an aggressive defender but often commits reckless fouls. In the match against Chelsea, his foul not only hurt the team directly but also robbed United of the chance to rally after going a goal down. Carrick was forced to reshuffle his defense with ten men, while Chelsea grew more comfortable controlling the game.
The crisis engulfing United cannot be separated from a weak attack and a fragile defense. Despite creating several chances in the first half, the Red Devils failed to capitalize. On the other side, Chelsea, coached by Enzo Maresca, were more effective. Estevao had two goals ruled offside, and substitute goalkeeper Mike Penders denied Bryan Mbeumo late in the match.
For Indonesian football fans, this defeat is a reminder that a club as big as Manchester United has still not found stability. Supporters in the country who faithfully watch the Premier League every week will certainly hope for a quick turnaround, especially with a packed schedule ahead. However, if internal problems such as player discipline and tactics are not addressed soon, United risk sinking further into mid-table.
The question now is: will Carrick last until the end of the season, or will Martínez be the first to pack his bags in the January transfer window? Either way, the pressure at Old Trafford will not ease anytime soon.
