The red card shown to Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez for a hair-pull on Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has ignited a major debate. The big question now: will the club appeal, and do they have a case?

Recent history suggests it's an uphill battle. Just last January, Everton failed to overturn a red card given to Michael Keane for a similar incident involving Wolves' Tolu Arokodare. An FA disciplinary panel, in a 2-1 vote, deemed Keane's action "outside the normal constituent elements of a challenge," despite one panel member arguing it was "an action born out of instinct and of minimal force." Everton boss David Moyes was left furious with the decision.

This precedent sets a tough scene for United. They cannot dispute that Martinez made contact with Calvert-Lewin's hair. Their only viable argument rests on claiming a "lack of force" in the action. However, the dramatic nature of Calvert-Lvert-Lewin's reaction—going down and clutching his head—was likely a key factor for the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) and will be a significant hurdle in any appeal.

While the odds may be against them, United have little to lose by trying. The threat of extended bans for "frivolous" appeals was largely removed 15 years ago with the introduction of the fast-track disciplinary system. The club will now weigh the potential benefit of having their key defender available sooner against the unlikely chance of convincing an unpredictable FA panel.