Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has defended the club's internal atmosphere following Lisandro Martinez's public criticism of the hierarchy, insisting the squad remains in excellent spirits despite the fallout. According to BBC Sport, Carrick addressed the controversy at his pre-match media conference ahead of Sunday's Premier League fixture against Leeds at Elland Road, emphasising that those outside the club cannot fully understand the situation.
The Argentine defender's outburst came after Manchester United's 2-0 Champions League defeat by Atletico Madrid, when he criticised the club's lack of belief and energy. Martinez subsequently met with Carrick and senior leadership, including director of football Jason Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrada, before issuing a public apology for the timing of his remarks. The club has indicated the matter is now closed, though the incident has reignited scrutiny of Wilcox's position following a similar clash with former manager Ruben Amorim earlier in the year.
Carrick rejected external commentary on the situation, stating that observers cannot grasp what is genuinely happening within the organisation.
"There's a lot of people who say a lot of things - ex-pros or not ex-pros - it doesn't necessarily mean they understand what is going on here,"he said.
"Just because people talk on the outside doesn't mean that is the truth. I am telling you the truth. The squad today was in a fantastic place, better than I have seen it for a while."
The manager's comments came after prominent figures including Wayne Rooney, Roy Keane and Gary Neville publicly criticised Martinez's conduct. Rooney, Carrick's former team-mate, suggested the defender could damage the dressing room with his attack on the club's decision-makers. However, Carrick dismissed concerns that the episode had fractured team morale or distracted the group from their objectives.
Has the squad been affected by the controversy?
Carrick firmly denied that Martinez's comments or the subsequent fallout had undermined the group's cohesion.
"We are emotional and care a lot. Sometimes someone says something that maybe you shouldn't say at that certain time, but it doesn't distract us from what we are creating here and the environment and spirit within the group."He added:
"It is not affected, I am telling you."
The manager acknowledged that passion and intensity are qualities the club actively encourages in its players, but stressed the importance of channelling those emotions constructively.
"We ask for passion, we ask for emotion, we ask for fire and we ask for players to care. There's a way of doing that, and that's already been acknowledged."He emphasised that the squad must harness this intensity in a manner that strengthens rather than destabilises the team.
What is the status of Jason Wilcox?
Wilcox, who was appointed director of football following Dan Ashworth's departure in December 2024, has faced renewed criticism following Martinez's outburst. According to ESPN, United sources confirmed that Wilcox retained the backing of club leadership and minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, with no suggestion he is in danger of losing his position.
This marks the second occasion in recent months that Wilcox's role has come under scrutiny. BBC Sport previously reported that Ruben Amorim's public disagreement with Wilcox over tactical matters preceded Amorim's dismissal in January, placing the director of football's position in the spotlight at that time as well.
When asked whether Wilcox should publicly address the situation himself, Carrick declined to comment on what the director should do.
"I don't think it's for me to say whether he should or not,"he said.
"I've got no problem sitting here, talking to you guys and leading the group, leading the team, leading the football club from this position. We're all in it together."Carrick suggested that Martinez's apology statement was sufficient to allow the club to move forward.
What did Martinez actually say?
According to The Athletic, Martinez's original criticism focused on the team's lack of belief and energy, describing the squad as disconnected and displaying negative body language following setbacks during the Atletico Madrid match. His comments were directed at the club's hierarchy and decision-making structure rather than at individual personnel by name.
Martinez subsequently apologised for the timing of his remarks, acknowledging that he should have raised his concerns through internal channels rather than making them public immediately after the defeat. However, he did not retract the substance of his criticism. Carrick indicated that this acknowledgment of poor timing was sufficient for the club to move past the incident.
"He's released his statement, he's realised he's made a mistake, and I think that's enough for all of us to move on with,"the manager said.
What is Manchester United's current form?
The controversy arrives at a difficult moment for United, who have won just one of their opening six Premier League matches this season. The club's most recent victory came against Azerbaijan champions Sabah on 10 September, leaving them with a concerning winless run in the league. This poor domestic form contrasts sharply with Carrick's assertion that the squad is in excellent condition.
The manager has faced mounting pressure following a series of disappointing results, including a historic collapse at Old Trafford in September when Brighton came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in a Carabao Cup tie, ending a 50-year record of not losing at home when leading by two goals. Despite these setbacks, Carrick has maintained his composure publicly, though the club's recent trajectory suggests internal concerns remain.
What happens next?
Martinez has been confirmed as part of the squad for Sunday's Premier League trip to Leeds at Elland Road, scheduled for 14:00 BST on 18 October. Carrick's decision to include the defender in the travelling party signals that the manager considers the matter resolved and that Martinez remains a key part of his plans moving forward. The fixture offers United an opportunity to arrest their poor league form and build momentum ahead of a demanding fixture schedule.
