Carrick says Manchester United have 'moved on' from Martinez outburst
The United manager says Lisandro Martinez remains in the squad for Sunday's trip to Leeds after the defender criticised the club's hierarchy and was fined.
At a glance
- Michael Carrick said Manchester United have "moved on" from Lisandro Martinez's outburst about the club's hierarchy.
- Martinez criticised technical director Jason Wilcox after United's 2-0 Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid and is understood to have been fined.
- Martinez apologised on Instagram on Thursday and will be in the squad for Sunday's Premier League match at Leeds.
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick said the club has "moved on" from Lisandro Martinez's public criticism of the club's hierarchy, and confirmed the defender will be part of the squad for Sunday's Premier League match at Leeds.
Speaking at his pre-match news conference on Friday, Carrick described the episode as "really not a drama for us as a group" and said Martinez had acknowledged the situation.
"It's done, really," Carrick said. "We've moved on from that. It was one of those things. He has come out and acknowledged the situation, and as a group we've moved on."
He added that training had gone well during the week, saying there was "a really good feeling around training this morning".
What Martinez said
The Argentina centre-back spoke out after United's 2-0 Champions League defeat by Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, saying Carrick had been left with an under-strength squad.
Martinez directed criticism at technical director Jason Wilcox, saying he had "100 percent" expected more investment during the summer transfer window after United finished third in the Premier League last season. It is understood he has been fined for the outburst.
On Thursday the 28-year-old apologised in a post on Instagram, saying he had held positive talks with the club's leadership and with Carrick.
"Everyone knows that I am a passionate person and that I live football with great intensity," he said. "The frustration of the defeat led me to express how I felt at a time and place that perhaps were not the right ones, and for that I want to apologise."
Difficult start to the season
United travel to Elland Road, the home of one of their fiercest rivals, with just two wins from nine games in all competitions this season.
They sit 13th in the Premier League with one win from six matches, and drew their most recent league game 1-1 against a Tottenham side reduced to 10 men.
Former United captain Roy Keane branded the situation at his former club "a bit of a circus".
Carrick's comments indicate the club intends to treat the matter as closed, with Martinez available for selection against Leeds.
Source: Al Jazeera.
Questions and answers
- What did Lisandro Martinez say about Manchester United?
- After United's 2-0 Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid, Martinez said Carrick had been left with an under-strength squad and criticised technical director Jason Wilcox over summer investment.
- Was Lisandro Martinez fined for his comments?
- It is understood Martinez has been fined for his outburst. He apologised on Instagram on Thursday, saying he had held positive talks with the club's leadership and Carrick.
- Will Lisandro Martinez play against Leeds?
- Yes. Michael Carrick said Martinez would be in Manchester United's squad for the Premier League match at Leeds on Sunday.
