Carrick defends Martínez's commitment after fine and Chelsea red card

Michael Carrick has defended Lisandro Martínez's commitment to Manchester United after the defender was fined for comments about the club's hierarchy and then sent off against Chelsea. According to reporting by the Guardian and BBC Sport, Carrick also rejected doubts about the wider squad's dedication during a run of nine matches without a victory in all competitions.

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The Guardian reported that Martínez's fine followed remarks about United director of football Jason Wilcox. His dismissal at Stamford Bridge means he is suspended for the Premier League match against Aston Villa. Carrick said mistakes and poor decisions could happen without calling a player's commitment into question. The manager's defence addressed the Argentina international's attitude rather than disputing the disciplinary consequences of his actions.

Carrick extended that backing to the entire dressing room, telling BBC Sport that he did not question the players' commitment to the club, their manager or one another. He described the dressing-room atmosphere positively but acknowledged that United needed to perform better and make better decisions. BBC Sport reported that Martínez was fully involved in an open training session at Carrington, with Bryan Mbeumo and Carlos Baleba also vocal.

The comments came with United 17th in the Premier League and on their longest winless sequence since the 1988-89 season, according to the BBC. Defeats against Atlético Madrid and Como have also left them 21st in the Champions League standings after three matches. Their most recent home appearance ended in a 3-0 loss to Bournemouth, after which supporters in the Stretford End booed the players, the Guardian reported.

Kobbie Mainoo, who appeared alongside Carrick at the media conference, also defended the group. The midfielder returned against Chelsea as a second-half substitute after missing four matches with a muscular problem. He acknowledged that results had fallen short and said the players needed to support their manager both on and off the pitch, according to the two reports.

Mainoo also accepted that supporters could not be expected to remain positive while results were poor. He said the team's response had to come through improved results. Having joined United at seven, the 21-year-old described a responsibility to communicate the club's values and said its current position was unacceptable for an institution of its size.