‘It’s done’: Michael Carrick outlines Lisandro Martinez stance after explosive Man United criticism
· Yahoo Sports
Lisandro Martinez is available to play for Manchester United at Leeds United this weekend after apologising for his explosive criticism of the club’s hierarchy, with manager Michael Carrick declaring the saga “done”.
The defender called out United’s technical director Jason Wilcox for not strengthening the playing squad after the 2-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid on Tuesday and said Carrick had not been properly backed in the transfer market.
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The 28-year-old, who is out of contract next summer, then took to social media on Wednesday and acknowledged his comments had been made in “anger and frustration” following the defeat in the Spanish capital.
Lisandro Martinez had strong words for Manchester United’s senior management (PA Archive)Martinez then apologised on social media on Thursday following a meeting with Wilcox, CEO Omar Berrada and Carrick at United’s training ground. “With this situation now behind us, we are fully focused on winning together,” Martinez said.
Martinez’s interview has reportedly also caused a stir in the United and his comments were called “disrespectful” by former striker Wayne Rooney, while the Argentina international has been at fault for defensive errors in the club’s five-game winless run in all competitions.
Carrick, though, said Martinez will be in United’s squad at Elland Road and declared the mood in the dressing room as “really good” ahead of a pressure game against rivals Leeds on Sunday.
“It's done. We've moved on from that,” Carrick said on Friday. ”Licha has come out and acknowledged the situation and as a group we've moved on. It's really not a drama for us as a group. The boys have trained really well and there’s a really good feeling around the squad. They are in good spirits.
"It was pretty simple. We all understood the situation. Licha has understood it was a mistake. That was it. We have a really good feeling from the club, from the inside. Results wise, it hasn't gone our way, but the spirit and togetherness. Today was one of the better training sessions we’ve had. We can see in the group we want to do something with this situation.
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick with Lisandro Martinez (PA Wire)"We understand the situation that came up after the game but we feel that has been dealt with and we have moved on, genuinely moved on. And there's a freshness about the group today which I really liked."
Despite calling out Wilcox in his interview, Martinez did not apologise to United’s technical directly in his statement on Thursday. But Carrick said he was satisfied with the defender’s statement.
“He's released his statement and realised he made a mistake. That's enough for us to move on with,” Carrick said. “From our point of view, the acknowledgement of what's been done is enough to move on.”