Michael Carrick wants the Martínez row put to bed. The Manchester United head coach insists he is “telling the truth” when he says the club has moved on from Lisandro Martínez’s explosive comments after the 2-0 Champions League defeat by Atlético Madrid.
Not everyone has. Wayne Rooney, a close friend and former team-mate of Carrick’s, led the criticism. He warned that the Argentine defender could “rip the dressing room apart” with his attack on United’s hierarchy. Former United captains Roy Keane and Gary Neville have also given their views, as part of a flood of analysis.
Martínez has since apologised for the timing of his comments, which put director of football Jason Wilcox under the spotlight. He has not apologised 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 quoted by BBC Sport.
“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.”
