Michael Carrick: Manchester United Has Moved Past Lisandro Martinez's Comments

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has asserted that the club has moved past Lisandro Martinez's recent public criticism of the team's transfer strategy. Martinez's remarks, made in a television interview following the team's 2-0 defeat against Atletico Madrid, accused the club's hierarchy and director of football Jason Wilcox of failing to adequately invest in the squad last summer.

Carrick addressed the situation on Friday, stating that the incident is "done, really" and that the team "has moved on" from it. He emphasized that the controversy is "not a drama" and highlighted the positive atmosphere within the squad during recent training sessions. "The boys have trained really well, there’s a really good feeling around the squad," Carrick said. "They were in good spirits in training. The squad today was in a fantastic place. The best that I've seen in a while."

Martinez has since apologized for his comments and was fined by the club. Carrick confirmed that Martinez acknowledged his remarks were a "mistake" and that a "really good feeling" exists within the group. Martinez remains in the squad for the upcoming match against Leeds on Sunday.

In his initial interview, Martinez had expressed disappointment with the club's transfer market performance. "I don't think so," he responded when asked if the club had sufficiently backed the manager. "He does his best. You can't keep changing, changing, changing the manager. What about other areas? Tonight it is easy to say the coach and easy to say the players, but also we have to see other areas."

He continued, "I expect more (investment) 100 percent. I expect more from our technical director. I have to be honest, as players we have to do more but it is also important when you make a strong squad to be ready for this kind of night. I have to control myself a lot but sometimes is a reflection of the mirror of how is our club at the moment."

Following discussions with the club, Martinez posted on social media Thursday evening to apologize. "Today I met with the club's leadership and the manager," he stated. "It was a very positive conversation, where we were able to exchange views and speak openly about what happened after Tuesday's game. Everyone knows that I am a passionate person and that I live football with great intensity. The frustration of the defeat led me to express how I felt at a time and place that perhaps were not the right ones, and for that I want to apologize."