Lisandro Martinez has shared a message on social media following his controversial tackle on Cole Palmer during Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford.

The incident led to Martinez receiving his fourth booking of the season after a risky challenge in which he attempted to win the ball from Palmer. VAR reviewed the tackle and deemed it reckless but stopped short of issuing a red card, ruling that it did not endanger the safety of the Chelsea and England player.

Chelsea supporters were frustrated with the decision, feeling the challenge deserved a stricter punishment. Palmer, visibly impacted by the incident, was later seen applying ice to his knee.

Chelsea’s head coach Enzo Maresca expressed hope that the injury is not serious. He commented, “He was in the dressing room with ice. We’ll have to wait and see, but hopefully, it’s nothing severe.”

On Instagram, Martinez posted a photograph celebrating with his teammates, accompanied by a message of determination: “Keep working and keep pushing until the end, always as a team,” along with a flexed muscle emoji.

Reflecting on the incident, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher shared his thoughts on Ref Watch for Sky Sports, stating that he believed Martinez was fortunate to have avoided a red card. “I think he’s lucky,” Gallagher observed.

“Martinez was positioned very close to Palmer when he made the tackle. If he had approached from further away, with greater speed and intensity, he would have been in trouble. But as he’s so close, he doesn’t generate that force. The contact is brief, and due to the short distance, the intensity is reduced.”

The match at Old Trafford concluded with Manchester United moving up to 13th in the Premier League standings. Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring with a penalty, before Moises Caicedo equalised just four minutes later.