Michael Carrick says Lisandro Martínez’s apology after criticising Jason Wilcox is enough for Manchester United to move on, with the defender available for Sunday’s trip to Leeds. The United head coach made clear that the club is not revisiting the dispute before a fixture arriving amid mounting pressure over results.

Carrick says the matter is closed

Martínez criticised United’s director of football after the 2-0 Champions League defeat at Atlético Madrid on Tuesday, arguing that the squad needed more investment. In a statement on Thursday, he apologised for expressing his frustration at a time and place that may not have been appropriate.

The apology addressed the circumstances of his comments, but did not name Wilcox or withdraw the underlying call for a stronger squad. Carrick said the acknowledgment was sufficient and that the club had moved on, according to the Guardian’s report of his pre-match comments.

Carrick also confirmed that Martínez would be available for the visit to Leeds. The episode had prompted questions about possible discipline, but the manager’s response makes clear that he does not expect the matter to remain a live issue within the group.

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United need a response on the pitch

The timing leaves Carrick with little room for distraction. United had collected six points from their first six Premier League games, had been eliminated from the Carabao Cup by Brighton the previous month, and had recorded one win and one defeat in the Champions League, according to the Guardian’s 16 October report.

Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo were due to face fitness tests; Carrick gave no outcome in the report. Martínez’s criticism followed the defeat in Madrid and focused on squad investment, bringing the issue of United’s depth into sharper view alongside their results.

Carrick insists the squad is together

Carrick said he understood the emotion behind Martínez’s outburst, while stressing that the intensity and passion he wants from players must be channelled constructively. He pointed to United’s response after conceding inside the first minute against Atlético as evidence of belief and togetherness.

Wayne Rooney had warned that Martínez’s remarks could damage the dressing room. Carrick rejected the idea that outside criticism reflected the squad’s mood, saying the players were in a better place on Friday than he had seen them for some time; that remains his assessment, rather than proof that every concern has disappeared.

United’s next test comes at Elland Road on Sunday, with Shaw and Mainoo’s fitness checks the outstanding team-news details before kick-off.