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Michael Carrick Says Manchester United Moved On From Lisandro Martinez Comments After Atletico Madrid Defeat

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Martínez criticized Manchester United's hierarchy following the 2-0 Atletico Madrid defeat. He apologized after meetings with Michael Carrick and senior club officials.

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Michael Carrick Says Manchester United Moved On From Lisandro Martinez Comments After Atletico Madrid Defeat
Image: YSscores

Carrick backs Martinez

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick said he is "telling the truth" about the club having moved on from Lisandro Martinez's explosive post-match comments after a 2-0 Champions League defeat by Atletico Madrid. Carrick said Wayne Rooney led condemnation of Martinez, and Carrick added that "Just because people talk on the outside doesn't mean that is the truth" as he addressed the fallout at his pre-match media conference at United's Carrington training ground.

Carrick confirmed Martinez would be "part of the squad" for Sunday's Premier League trip to Leeds at Elland Road (14:00 BST), despite the spotlight that had turned to director of football Jason Wilcox. Carrick also said he had "no problem sitting here, talking to you guys and leading the group, leading the team, leading the football club from this position" when asked whether Wilcox should explain his actions to the media.

Image from Al Jazeera
Image: Al Jazeera
Reporting for this sectionBBC

Apology and a fine

Lisandro Martinez apologised after publicly criticising Manchester United's hierarchy and transfer strategy, and he told the club's leadership and manager Michael Carrick he wanted to apologise for the timing and setting of his remarks. Martinez wrote on Instagram that "Today I met with the club's leadership and the manager" and described the conversation as "a very positive conversation" after Tuesday's game.

The BBC reported that Manchester United formally fined Martinez, while Martinez later posted that "With this situation now behind us, we are fully focused on winning together." RMC Sport said Omar Berrada and coach Michael Carrick were also present at the Thursday meeting with Wilcox, and RMC Sport said the defender published his apology shortly after.

Image from Al Jazeera
Image: Al Jazeera
Reporting for this sectionHindustan TimesBBC

Old Trafford tensions

Roy Keane branded Manchester United "like a circus" after Martinez criticised the club's hierarchy over summer transfer business, and Keane said there would be fans who argued Martinez was "letting the team down" while the team struggled.

Keane said Martinez should examine his own performances before publicly criticising the club, and Keane added that "it’s obviously chaos there, like a bit of a circus."

Martinez's apology came as United faced scrutiny after their winless run extended to five matches in all competitions, and Al Jazeera said the defeat extended United's winless run to five matches.

Carrick said "I understand the reaction at times. It hurts a lot" as United prepared for Sunday’s league match at Leeds, with the trip to Elland Road arriving as Carrick tried to straighten out a crisis at Old Trafford.

Reporting for this sectionCiti Sports OnlineAudacy