Carrick backs Martinez's commitment despite red card and contract uncertainty at United

Michael Carrick has moved to defend Lisandro Martinez’s commitment to Manchester United following another turbulent performance, after the centre-back was sent off for the second time this season during Sunday’s match at Stamford Bridge.

Martinez received a second yellow card for throwing his arm at Wesley Fofana, capping an error-strewn display against Chelsea that has intensified scrutiny of the 28-year-old’s future at Old Trafford. The Argentine had been ready to leave the club last summer, has struggled for form throughout the campaign, and publicly criticised the club’s hierarchy following their Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid last month.

“No, I’ve got no concerns about commitment at all,” Carrick said when asked directly about Martinez. “Things happen in football. Sometimes you do things, sometimes you make a decision, sometimes you make mistakes. But the commitment is not an issue for sure.”

Carrick was equally firm when addressing the broader mood inside the squad. “The dressing room is a good, good place,” he said. “The commitment of the players to the club, to me, to each other is something I don’t question at all. We need to play better, we can make better decisions, but commitment’s not a thing at all.”

Martinez’s contract expires at the end of this season, with United holding a one-year extension option. Given his form and the public friction with the club’s leadership, it appears increasingly likely that his time at United is drawing to a close regardless of that clause. He will serve a suspension for the Premier League fixture against Aston Villa but is expected to return for the Europa League tie against Roma on Tuesday.

Bruno Fernandes finds himself in a similarly uncertain contract position, and United face a deadline to trigger their options on both players before the end of the year. After that point, the pair would be free to negotiate pre-contract agreements with foreign clubs ahead of a potential summer exit.

Carrick offered little clarity on either situation. “When anything’s finalised, you know how discussions go and when anything’s finalised, we’ll let you know. But at this stage, there’s nothing any further to update, really,” he said.