Gary Neville disagrees with Mike Dean on controversial Man United red card escape vs Chelsea

Gary Neville has admitted that Lisandro Martinez was "lucky" to escape a late red card during Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Sunday.

Martinez was booked in the 93rd minute after catching Cole Palmer high on his left knee. The United defender went in with his studs first and made contact with Palmer as he attempted to dribble past him.

The Premier League released a statement after the incident. It read: "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."

Ex-United full-back Neville delivered his verdict on the potential red card and believes that Martinez should have been sent off. He said while on co-commentary for Sky Sports: "As a professional I think that one where you leave your studs, you know you’re not getting the ball and you go in knee-high, to be fair you’re asking for a red card."

Neville added: "I think he's lucky. I think when you go knee-high and the ball’s gone, with studs, I’m not quite sure what sort of interpretation it is but I think that is a red."

Meanwhile, former Premier League referee Mike Dean disagreed with Neville's verdict and felt on-field referee Rob Jones made the right call. He said: "He’s come down, he’s just caught the end of his knee with his studs.

READ MORE: Premier League release controversial Chelsea statement after Man United red card decision

READ MORE: Enzo Maresca makes brutal decision as Chelsea star hooked during Man United clash

"There’s not a lot of force in it, it’s more of a glancing blow down across his knee rather than endangering the safety of an opponent."

Chelsea had to settle for a point at Old Trafford after Moises Caicedo cancelled out Bruno Fernandes' penalty. Enzo Maresca's side sit fourth in the Premier League table, one point behind Nottingham Forest in third and five adrift of second-place Manchester City.

football.london Chelsea WhatsApp channel

Want to keep up to date with the breaking and important Chelsea stories whilst on the move? Well now you can!

Click this link to follow the football.london Chelsea WhatsApp channel, where you'll be kept up to date on the latest Blues news wherever you are.

Just remember to turn on the notifications once you've followed, and you won't miss a beat!