‘I am telling you the truth’: Carrick on Martinez fallout
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick said he is telling the truth when he insists the club has moved on from the explosive post match comments made by defender Lisandro Martinez this week. Carrick’s close friend and former teammate Wayne Rooney led the criticism, warning that Martinez could rip the dressing room apart with his attack on the club’s hierarchy after the 2‑0 Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid. Former United captains Roy Keane and Gary Neville have also added their voices to a wave of analysis surrounding the incident.
Martinez has apologised for the timing of his remarks, which turned the spotlight on director of football Jason Wilcox, but he has not retracted the words themselves. Speaking at a pre match media conference at United’s Carrington training ground, Carrick said, “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.” He continued, “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.” He added, “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.” He stressed, “It [the squad] is not affected, I am telling you.”
Carrick confirmed Martinez will be part of the squad for Sunday’s Premier League trip to Leeds at Elland Road, kickoff at 14:00 BST.
The fallout has also brought renewed attention to Jason Wilcox. Wilcox, who became United’s director of football after Dan Ashworth’s departure in December 2024, was part of the discussions with Martinez that led to the defender’s later statement on his conduct. Wilcox has previously been targeted by Ruben Amorim in the Portuguese coach’s final press conference before his dismissal in January. The 55 year old has spoken publicly only once since, appearing on United’s own media channel twelve months ago. When asked whether Wilcox should explain his actions to the media, Carrick replied, “I don’t think it’s for me to say whether he should or not.” He added, “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 said he does not view Martinez’s failure to mention Wilcox by name as 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.”
Regarding the pressure on his own position, Carrick acknowledged the negative headlines are the last thing he needs. United go to Leeds after a five match winless run, having not gone six games without a victory since the end of the 2018‑19 season, shortly after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was confirmed as permanent manager. Carrick knows ending that streak would ease pressure on his future, but he refuses to treat it as crucial. He said, “I don’t need results. We all need results.” He continued, “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.” He added, “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.”
The article also notes that Martinez’s outburst was triggered by United’s lengthy injury list, which forced Ayden Heaven to play left back in Madrid. Cover for injured Luke Shaw and Benjamin Sesko was seen as vital in the summer. Shaw missed the game through injury and Sesko has yet to start a Premier League match this season. The Slovenia forward, signed for £74 million from RB Leipzig in August 2025, suffered a recurrence of the shin injury that ended his 2025‑26 campaign after United’s EFL Cup defeat by Brighton. For the third consecutive pre match press conference, Carrick said he could not give a timeline for Sesko’s return. “Ben’s kind of still undergoing a couple of checks before we update on timelines,” he said. “We’re just trying to be clear with what that looks like but he’s still a little bit further away.”