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Wayne Rooney slams ‘horrendous’ Man Utd star who Michael Carrick is still backing
Rooney took aim at the United star after their latest defeat (Picture: The United Stand)

Wayne Rooney has blasted Lisandro Martinez for his ‘horrendous’ mistake for Chelsea’s opening goal in their victory over Manchester United.

United are now nine games without a win after a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.

Martinez was sent off midway through the second-half just minutes after he was booked for raising his elbow and catching Wesley Fofana while defending a corner.

The Argentina international has been widely condemned for his reckless actions which came just weeks after he publicly blasted the club following the Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid.

While firmly among those unimpressed with Martinez’s conduct for the sending off, former United captain Rooney was equally appalled by his role in Chelsea’s opener.

Morgan Rogers drove through United’s midfield and defence with Andrey Santos, Harry Maguire and Martinez all failing to stop him.

Rooney blasted the former Ajax star for his meek attempts to deal with Rogers’ run and insisted it was Chelsea’s opening goal that sparked United’s downfall.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 31: Referee Peter Bankes shows a red card to Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Chelsea FC and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on October 31, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Martinez was sent off against Chelsea (Picture: Getty)

‘The first goal for me was a killer for everyone,’ Rooney told The United Stand.

‘Rogers picks the ball up and just runs in a straight line. Yoro is out of position which can happen because there was a turnover. Maguire does the right thing initially but the closer Rogers gets, he has to get him and leave him out wide.

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‘And then Martinez comes across – his attempt at a tackle is horrendous, you wouldn’t want school boys doing that.

epa13331012 Manchester United manager Michael Carrick looks on at full time after losing the English Premier League match Manchester United FC against AFC Bournemouth, in Manchester, Britain, 25 October 2026. EPA/GARY OAKLEY EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos, 'live' services or NFTs. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
Carrick still has faith in the defender (Picture: EPA)

‘He goes in and just touches Rogers, he doesn’t put any force into it, that’s where you put your body across and try knock him. He just waves his arm at him and lets him go through. That goal was horrendous.’

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United return to action against Roma in the Champions League tonight with Carrick insisting this week he has no concerns over Martinez’s commitment to the cause.

‘I’ve got no concerns about commitment at all,’ Carrick told a news conference on Tuesday.

‘The dressing room is a good, good place,’ the United boss said. ‘I’ve said it before, the commitment of the players to the club, to me, to each other is I don’t question that at all.

‘We need to play better, we can make better decisions, but commitment’s not a thing at all.’

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