Leeds forward Patrick Bamford receives boot to the face from Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez in Premier League clash, but incident isn’t reviewed by VAR

Lisandro Martinez escaped punishment for making contact with Patrick Bamford’s face on Wednesday night.

The incident came in first half stoppage-time when the pair tangled in the home team box at Old Trafford with the Whites leading 1-0 thanks to Wilfried Gnonto’s goal in the first minute.

The match eventually ended 2-2 after a comeback from the home team, who finished with 11 men despite Martinez’s flashpoint.

During the incident, Bruno Fernandes regained possession and put the ball into a dangerous position in his own box with Bamford looking set to latch onto it.

However, Martinez read the danger, beating the England striker to the ball before they collided and hit the deck.

Martinez’s left boot then appeared to twice make contact with Bamford’s face, with the Leeds forward staying down and holding his hands over his head.

Conversely, the Argentina defender popped straight back up, with the incident not reviewed by VAR.

Seeing it at first-glance, talkSPORT commentator and Sunderland legend Micky Gray said: “There’s been some heavy challenges coming in the last few minutes.

“He did win the ball and his momentum took him through and there was a follow through on Bamford’s ankle.

“It looked like he was in big trouble, but he was quickly back to his feet and fine.”

And online, there were many fans – not just from Elland Road – puzzled by the fact he escaped punishment.

One asked: “How is Martinez not sent off for this?”

Another added it was a ‘joke’ the defender was not shown a red card.

“I hope the FA will look into it,” a third wrote.

A fourth called the incident ‘absolutely shocking’ and a fifth claimed: “What exactly is VAR for if it’s not seeing Martinez sent off for backpacking Bamford in the face? It’s so obviously deliberate.”