Double standards! Martinez's hair-pulling leads to a three-match suspension, while Calvert-Lewin and others escape punishment; Carrick once again voices grievances for Manchester United.

Manchester United fans were furious on Sunday, not because there were no Premier League matches scheduled that day while the Red Devils were assigned to play on Monday, but because in the FA Cup semifinal between Chelsea and Leeds United, Dominic Calvert-Lewin pulled the hair of Chelsea left-back Cucurella and received no yellow card whatsoever.

Ironically, a few weeks earlier, Manchester United center-back Lisandro Martinez was shown a direct red card for pulling Calvert-Lewin's ponytail and subsequently handed a three-match suspension. The Premier League refereeing committee rejected United's appeal, firmly stating that hair-pulling, though not physically harmful, undermines fair play and must not be tolerated, requiring severe punishment to set an example.

Shortly after that official statement, Calvert-Lewin committed a similar act against Cucurella but escaped punishment. United fans were angered by this blatant double standard and flooded social media with complaints. Confucius said: "It is not scarcity but inequality that causes trouble." Though referring to wealth, the same principle applies to rules. Refereeing standards can be lenient or strict, but fairness alone can settle disputes.

Consistent enforcement of rules solves half the problem, yet referees in English football clearly fail to maintain impartiality. In fact, five days after the "Roses Derby" between Manchester United and Leeds United, the same referee Paul Tierney, in Brentford's match against Fulham, did not penalize "The Bees" player Dango Ouattara for pulling Fulham defender Calvin Bassey's hair, taking no action.

In the Merseyside Derby between Everton and Liverpool, Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye, while falling, appeared to tug Liverpool midfielder Szoboszlai's hair, and the referee likewise imposed no punishment.

Carrick publicly stated after Manchester United's match that Martinez's red card decision was shocking, and subsequent developments deepened United's anger. "Some circumstances make understanding more difficult," Carrick said. "Lisandro (Martinez) has been suspended and will continue to miss games. When you consider all other factors surrounding this alleged foul and the subsequent punishments, I find it completely inappropriate."

It is worth noting that Manchester United itself has experienced varying refereeing treatment across different periods, fully reflecting the fluctuating standards of Premier League referees. During Mourinho's tenure, United rarely received penalties, fans joking that "the referee wouldn't call anything unless someone died in the box"; under Solskjaer, the Red Devils easily earned spot-kicks, even featuring Bruno Fernandes' iconic penalty winner after the referee had blown the final whistle.

Now, Manchester United has clearly entered another era of targeted harsh rulings, facing greater difficulties. Due to the red-card suspension, Martinez will miss the crucial "Double Red" clash against Liverpool at home this Sunday.

However, the visiting Liverpool side in that match may also be missing key players; top star Salah suffered a left hamstring injury in the weekend win over Crystal Palace and may be unavailable against United. Salah is a nemesis for United, scoring 16 goals in 18 "Double Red" meetings; his absence would boost Carrick's chances of securing victory.

But gains come with losses; United players might also miss their last opportunity to revenge against this Egyptian legendary winger. More United fans likely wish to defeat a Liverpool side featuring Salah, handing him a crushing defeat to "send off" this rival superstar.