Michael Carrick's Manchester United have won just one of their opening six Premier League games
Published16 October 2026, 14:22 BST
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick says he is "telling the truth" when he says the club have moved on from Lisandro Martinez's explosive post-match comments this week.
Carrick's close friend and team-mate Wayne Rooney led the condemnation of Martinez, saying the Argentine defender could "rip the dressing room apart" with his attack on United's hierarchy after the 2-0 Champions League defeat by Atletico Madrid.
Former United skippers Roy Keane and Gary Neville have also had their say, among a huge amount of analysis.
Martinez has apologised for the timing of comments, which turned the spotlight on director of football Jason Wilcox, but not for the words themselves.
"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," said Carrick in his pre-match media conference at United's Carrington training ground.
"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. That is it, plain and simple. We are living it every day and know what it feels like.
"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.
"It [the squad] is not affected, I am telling you."
Carrick confirmed Martinez would be "part of the squad" for Sunday's Premier League trip to Leeds at Elland Road (14:00 BST).
We're in it together – Carrick deflects Wilcox criticism
Martinez singled out the 'technical director' for criticism in Madrid.
There was no mention of Wilcox in his statement, although the former Leeds and Blackburn player, who was made United's director of football in the aftermath of Dan Ashworth's sacking in December 2024, was part of the discussions with Martinez that led to his latest statement on his conduct.
Wilcox is back in the spotlight, after also being targeted by Ruben Amorim in his final press conference before his dismissal in January.
The 55-year-old has only spoken publicly once since, to United's own media channel, 12 months ago.
"I don't think it's for me to say whether he should or not," said Carrick, when asked if Wilcox should be the one explaining his actions to the media.
"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 does not feel Martinez's failure to mention Wilcox by name is an issue.
"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," he said.
"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.
"But we need to carry that intensity, that willingness, togetherness and spirit and everything else you can bring with that. As a group, we need to use it, and we've got to use it in the right way."
Not about me – under-pressure Carrick faces up to Leeds trip
The negative headlines are the last thing Carrick needed at the present time.
His side go to Leeds on the back of a five-match winless run. United have not gone six games without a victory since the end of the 2018-19 campaign, just after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had been confirmed as permanent manager.
Carrick knows the importance of ending that sequence in terms of easing the pressure on his own future.
However, he refuses to accept that as being crucial.
"I don't need results," he said. "We all need results.
"It's not about me. Manchester United is a lot bigger than any individual. It is bigger than me, bigger than any player, or anyone else who works at this football club. It always has been.
"I don't go into every day at work in this situation, [ahead of] this game, thinking it's about me. It's really not. It's about the football club; what we stand for, what we live for, the history, the things that we need to live up to. That's what drives us."
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