Anthony Martial sent off for slapping Lamela… but Man Utd ace appeared to be elbowed in neck by Spurs ace before

MANCHESTER UNITED striker Anthony Martial was sent off for slapping Erik Lamela – but the Frenchman appeared to be elbowed on the neck first.

United’s home clash against Tottenham was already dramatic enough with three goals in the first eight minutes.

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Anthony Martial was sent off for putting his hand into Lamela’s faceCredit: Sky Sports

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Anthony Martial appeared to receive an elbow in the neck from Lamela firstCredit: Sky Sports

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Tottenham’s midfielder looked as though he had been shot as he writhed on the floorCredit: Sky Sports

But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, already 2-1 down, were reduced to ten men when Martial lost his cool.

Spurs were preparing to take a corner when the Frenchman clashed with Lamela.

Replays showed the Spurs midfielder falling to the ground after Martial put his hand into his face.

But just prior to this, as the pair jostled in the box, Lamela’s elbow appeared to make contact with Martial’s neck.

Referee Anthony Taylor brandished the red card, but players and the Sky Sports commentators weren’t sure who had been given an early bath.

Taylor had VAR in his ear, but the official seemed confident he had got it right, and it was Martial who was sent marching down the tunnel.

The 24-year-old looked as stunned as his team-mates as he contemplated an early end to his game.

United were 2-1 down at this point, with Bruno Fernandes’ second minute penalty being cancelled out by goals Tanguy Ndombele and Heung-min Son.

And just two minutes after Martial’s red, Harry Kane slammed home for 3-1.

Things got even worse for Solskjaer’s shell-shocked troops when Son netted his second as Spurs went into the break 4-1 up.

Former United hardman Roy Keane was fuming with Lamela’s reaction in the melee.

He told Sky Sports: Pathetic. “A tickle across the chops.

“Lamela will sleep well tonight because he thinks he will have done a great piece of work for his team”

More to follow…