Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has moved swiftly to downplay internal tension following defender Lisandro Martinez's scathing public criticism of the club's board, insisting the controversy is "really not a drama" for the squad. Speaking ahead of United's crucial clash against rivals Leeds United, Carrick maintained that the dressing room has moved on after the Argentine acknowledged his mistake.

The fallout originated in the wake of United’s dismal 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday. Martinez publicly lashed out at the executive hierarchy, particularly targeting technical director Jason Wilcox, claiming that Carrick had been left with an under-resourced squad. The 28-year-old argued that substantial investment should have followed their third-place Premier League finish last season.

Following internal discussions, Martinez was reportedly sanctioned with a fine before issuing a public apology on social media. The centre-back explained that his remarks were fueled by post-match frustration and admitted that his timing and venue were inappropriate. He confirmed he had held productive talks with both the team management and the executive leadership.

Carrick confirmed that Martinez remains fully integrated and in contention for Sunday’s fixture at Elland Road, praising the squad's focus during morning training sessions. The manager emphasized that once the player took accountability, the matter was considered closed within the dressing room.

However, the incident adds to the growing sense of disarray surrounding Old Trafford, prompting former captain Roy Keane to disparage the ongoing crisis as "a bit of a circus." With a dismal record of just two wins from nine matches across all competitions and lingering in 13th place in the Premier League, United remain mired in turbulence both on and off the pitch.

Source: www.aljazeera.com