Enzo Maresca adamant Man United defender Lisandro Martinez ought to have been despatched off for his foul on Cole Palmer because the Chelsea boss offers an harm replace on his star man

Enzo Maresca insisted that Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez should have been sent off for his challenge on Cole Palmer in Chelsea’s draw at Old Trafford.

Martinez was only booked by referee Robert Jones for catching Palmer above the knee with his studs in the 93rd minute, but Maresca was convinced it should have been a straight red.

‘He (Palmer) was in the changing room with ice, so we are waiting now. Hopefully it is nothing important,’ said the Chelsea boss.

‘I know you are going to ask me about the referee’s decision. It is quite clear almost for all of us, but the referee is there to take a decision and he took a different decision.

‘When there is no intention to go for the ball and you just go for the player, for the legs, there is no doubt about the decision. I think it’s quite clear it’s a red.’

Man United defender Lisandro Martinez (No 6) fouled Cole Palmer late on in Sunday’s game

Palmer pictured on the ground after the foul, which came in the 93rd minute at Old Trafford

Referee Robert Jones showed Martinez a yellow card for the challenge on Palmer, rather than a red

United’s interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy played down the incident, saying: ‘I haven’t seen it to be fair. I saw it on the touchline. At that moment, I didn’t see it as a red.’

Maresca paid tribute to Moises Caicedo after he volleyed Chelsea’s equaliser to claim only his second goal since a £115million move from Brighton last year.

‘Since we arrive Moi is doing fantastic,’ he added. ‘I said during the week the problem with Moi and Enzo (Fernandez) is because the club paid big money, so people expect always them to be the best but they are human beings. Moi is improving a lot, we are trying to spend time with him.

‘Most of the time in football, one plus one is not two. Because he was sold at Brighton, that means when he is at Chelsea he is going to be as good as he was there. But he needs to adapt.

‘Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in the world. It is not so automatic, you need a bit of time and now he is showing how good he is.’

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca (second right) was adamant that a red card was warranted

Palmer applied ice to his knee after Sunday’s game at Old Trafford, according to Maresca

Van Nistelrooy confirmed that he has yet to speak to incoming head coach Ruben Amorim, but reiterated his desire to stay at United at the end of his spell as caretaker boss.

‘I haven’t spoken to him and at this moment there is nothing planned,’ said the Dutchman. ‘I’m doing my job to prepare for Thursday (Salonika) and Sunday (Leicester).

‘I look forward to getting to know him better. He has done very well in Portugal. He is a young, talented coach and he will be looking forward to help the club forward.’