Carrick backs Martinez's commitment despite red card and verbal attack on United director

Michael Carrick has moved to quell growing concerns over Lisandro Martinez’s attitude at Manchester United, insisting the defender’s commitment is beyond question despite a turbulent week that included a verbal attack on sporting director Jason Wilcox and a red card in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Martinez elbowed Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana in the second half, conceding a penalty that Cole Palmer converted, and collected his second yellow card of the match. The dismissal condemned United to a third consecutive defeat and means the Argentine will serve a suspension for Sunday’s home fixture against Aston Villa.

The centre-back had already apologised earlier in the week after publicly criticising Wilcox and United’s recruitment strategy following the loss to Atletico Madrid, a rare and pointed outburst from a player whose contract expires in the summer — though the club hold an option to extend his deal by a further year.

Carrick, however, was firm in his defence of Martinez’s professionalism. “I’ve got no concerns about commitment at all,” the United manager said. “Things happen in football. Sometimes you do things, sometimes you make a decision, sometimes you make mistakes, sometimes it goes well for you. But the commitment is not an issue for sure.”

Martinez is not the only senior player to have caused friction in recent weeks. Captain Bruno Fernandes gave a pointed post-match interview criticising Carrick’s tactics after a 4-1 home defeat to Como, raising questions about the squad’s cohesion and discipline. Carrick pushed back on that narrative too. “The dressing room is a good, good place, so perceptions are a funny thing,” he said. “The commitment of the players to the club, to me, to each other — I don’t question that at all. We need to play better, we can make better decisions, but commitment’s not a thing at all.”

United face Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday, a fixture Carrick says he is genuinely looking forward to despite the pressure bearing down on him. “You might think I’m crazy with the results we’ve had and what’s going on, but I’m genuinely, really can’t wait for the game,” he said.

The squad will again be without Patrick Dorgu and Luke Shaw for the Roma tie. Shaw, who is sidelined until the international break, and Dorgu — back in training but not yet available — leave United short of options at left-back. Carrick also confirmed that Marcus Rashford’s return from injury remains uncertain, saying the club will assess him “day by day.”