'I am telling you the truth' - Carrick on Martinez fallout

What the report says

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has sought to calm the fallout from Lisandro Martinez’s post-match criticism of the club, saying the squad has already moved on. Speaking at Carrington ahead of Sunday’s Premier League trip to Leeds, Carrick said the atmosphere in training was positive and insisted the comments had not unsettled the group. His remarks follow a public row sparked by Martinez’s interview after United’s 2-0 Champions League defeat by Atletico Madrid.

The BBC Sport report says former United players Wayne Rooney, Roy Keane and Gary Neville have all weighed in, with Rooney warning that Martinez could damage the dressing room. Martinez later apologised for the timing of his remarks, but not for their content, and the controversy has drawn attention to director of football Jason Wilcox, who was criticised in the original outburst.

Carrick defended the player’s passion while stressing that there is a proper way to show it. He also said Martinez would be included in the squad for the Leeds match. In broader context, the episode adds to scrutiny on United after a poor start to the Premier League season, with the team winning only one of its opening six league games, and highlights the pressure on the club’s leadership structure as it tries to stabilise the squad.