Carrick declares Martinez saga 'done' after defender apologises for Man United hierarchy attack

Lisandro Martinez will be available for Manchester United’s trip to Leeds United this weekend after manager Michael Carrick declared the fallout from the defender’s public attack on the club’s hierarchy “done”.

Martinez sparked a significant internal crisis when he called out technical director Jason Wilcox for failing to strengthen the squad, claiming Carrick had not been properly backed in the transfer market. The comments came in the immediate aftermath of United’s 2-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old subsequently took to social media on Wednesday to acknowledge his remarks had been made in “anger and frustration” following the loss in the Spanish capital. A formal apology followed on Thursday after Martinez met with Wilcox, CEO Omar Berrada, and Carrick. “With this situation now behind us, we are fully focused on winning together,” Martinez said in a statement.

The episode has nonetheless stirred considerable unease within the club. Former United striker Wayne Rooney described Martinez’s original comments as “disrespectful”, and the Argentina international has faced scrutiny for his own performances during a difficult run of form that has left United without a win in five matches across all competitions.

Martinez is out of contract at the end of next season, adding a further layer of complexity to his situation at Old Trafford. Whether Carrick’s decision to draw a line under the affair translates into a swift return to form — for both player and club — remains to be seen.