Michael Carrick makes Lisandro Martinez choice as Man Utd star makes first Prem begin
Michael Carrick has made a bold decision on Lisandro Martinez against Leeds United after the Manchester United defender launched a midweek tirade against the board
Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez caused controversy with his comments following the Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid(Image: Bradley Collyer/the Press Association)
Michael Carrick has made a bold decision on Lisandro Martinez for the Premier League clash against Leeds United following the Manchester United defender’s midweek outburst at the board.
An under-pressure United side head to Elland Road for a daunting test against their old rivals, who are in contrasting mood and spirit. Leeds tasted defeat for the first time this season in the league last time out against Arsenal, while United cross the Pennines winless in five.
The talking point ahead of the clash has been Martinez’s future at the club after his rant at the board following the Champions League defeat against Atletico Madrid, but the Argentine defender starts.
Lisandro Martinez spoke plainly about Manchester United’s situation(Image: @primevideosport)
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Martinez partners Harry Maguire at centre-back, with Leny Yoro moving to right-back, and Diogo Dalot starting on the left. Carlos Baleba comes in for his first Premier League start for the club since making a £70million move from Brighton in the summer.
Carrick has named Andrey Santos alongside the Cameroonian, as Bruno Fernandes lines up out wide again, alongside Amad Diallo, with Youri Tielemans behind Bryan Mbeumo.
The Elland Road clash marks the first time United and Martinez return to action since he slammed the club’s hierarchy, and in particular, director of football Jason Wilcox, for failing to add sufficient signings in the summer transfer window.
Michael Carrick is feeling the pressure(Image: Denis Doyle, Getty Images)
Martinez has since issued a statement and apologised to Wilcox for the outburst, after he was fined by the club.
Answering questions in his pre-match press conference about the defender’s comments, 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.
“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.”
