MICHAEL CARRICK blamed the “emotion” of Manchester United’s Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid for Lisandro Martinez’s explosive post-match comments.
After Atletico’s 2-0 win against ten-men United, that ”we expect more from the top, more players” and “I expect more from our technical director”,
The Argentine added that “you can’t keep changing, changing, changing the manager. What about other areas?”
Martinez then pointed upwards, effectively a reference to those at the top of the United hierarchy.
United are without a win in their past five games and have lost four from nine this season, having spent a frugal £155million in the summer transfer window.
Promoted Premier League clubs Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City all ended the window with a higher net spend than United, who missed out on a left back and a striker. United started without a specialist left back and striker at Atletico.
“Well, I haven’t seen the interview, I’ve heard about it as the interview was done,” Carrick explained.
“But I think it’s a little bit on the emotions of the game as well, coming here and being disappointed not to get something from the game.
“Straight after a game for me isn’t the time to talk about that interview because I haven’t seen it, so I can’t really comment on that.
“But I think it’s important for us to move forward quickly, really. I think there is a big game on Sunday (against Leeds), and it’s really important that we move forward and we stay focused on that.
“There’s disappointment within the group, I’m very disappointed in certain things, and the boys are as well as a group.”
Wilcox joined United from Southampton in April 2024 as technical director but was promoted to director of football in the summer of 2025, six months after Dan Ashworth abruptly left as sporting director.
Martinez expressed his backing for Carrick after a “fantastic season” last term and that he “tries his best”.
“Listen, as a group, I don’t doubt the togetherness or the wanting to win or the willingness to do things to win,” Carrick stressed. “So I really don’t doubt that.
“I know results-wise, it’s easy to look and think there’s something kind of deeply wrong because we haven’t won enough games, so I understand that.
“But the players have been great, I have to say. Great not in a nice way, but great is the way that they want to push.
“They’re willing, they’re very disappointed that they haven’t come out tonight with something from the game, because we were desperate and we feel actually we could have, and maybe should have.”
When asked if he would speak to Martinez, Carrick added: “I need to find out a bit more about it today before I can say what is going to be done.”
Carrick disagreed with the decision to for upending Atletico substitute Jonathan David in the 74th minute with United still only 1-0 down.
On-pitch referee Glenn Nyberg did not give a foul but VAR Pol van Boekel advised him to consult the pitchside monitor as Yoro’s leg tangled with David’s.
Yoro was dismissed for denying an obvious goslscoring opportunity, which Carrick questioned.
“I don’t see it being a red card, I have to say,” he said. “I really don’t agree with the decision. I don’t know whether I’m allowed to say or not, but I just don’t agree with the decision.
“He wasn’t really moving in a quick direction to goal. Whether it was or wasn’t a foul, it was very soft.
“And slow and it was just to go on a red card for that, especially to be taken to VAR. I just don’t understand it.”
