LISANDRO MARTINEZ was extremely lucky not to receive a red card for serious foul play on Cole Palmer.

The Manchester United defender’s studs caught the Chelsea playmaker high on his left knee.

Lisandro Martinez escaped a red card for a knee-high challenge on Cole Palmer

VAR reviewed it and decided to stick with the on-field decision of a yellow card

Martinez endangered the safety of Palmer and knew what he was doing by stopping the attack at all costs.

The challenge occurred in stoppage time at the end of the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca insisted during his post-match interview that it was an obvious red card offence.

He said: “I think there is not intention to take the ball and the foul is quite dangerous.”

In his press conference he then added: “They show me before the press conference, I think it is quite clear for all of us.

“The referee is there to make a decision, he took a different decision.

“For me, when there is no intention to go for the ball and just the player, is a red.”

Man Utd legend Gary Neville agreed Martinez was fortunate to avoid being dismissed.

On commentary, the former England right-back said: “When you go that high I think you’re asking for a red card. I think he’s lucky.

“When you go knee-high and the ball’s gone, I think it’s a red.”

VAR had a pretty lengthy look at the challenge and realized that it did not warrant a red card. Martinez produced a relatively solid performance after returning to his natural centre-back role.

The Premier League also released a statement on why Martinez escaped red, stating: “The referee issued a yellow card to Martinez for a challenge on Palmer. VAR checked for a potential red card and confirmed the referee’s call of no red card, deeming that it was a reckless challenge and not serious foul play.”