Martinez cites frustration and backs Carrick after recruitment outburst

Lisandro Martinez has reaffirmed his backing for Manchester United manager Michael Carrick and his team-mates after publicly criticising the club's recruitment. BBC Sport reported that the defender explained his comments on social media following Tuesday's 2-0 Champions League defeat at Atletico Madrid, saying they came from anger and frustration over the result.

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Martinez did not apologise in the statement, according to the BBC's account. He linked his remarks to his expectations for United and his desire to compete for major honours, while applying those standards to himself. He said players carried the immediate responsibility for delivering results including himself.

The dispute followed an interview with Amazon Prime Video in which Martinez called for greater investment and singled out technical director Jason Wilcox. In its earlier report, BBC Sport said United had spent £155m on three midfielders during the summer without adding players in other positions. Support for striker Benjamin Sesko and competition for left-back Luke Shaw were among the gaps highlighted in that reporting.

United had finished third in the Premier League last season, securing their first Champions League campaign in three years. Carrick won 12 of his 17 matches as interim head coach after Ruben Amorim's January dismissal, then received a permanent two-year contract. Martinez's original criticism centred on his belief that the club should have built more strongly on that qualification, rather than repeatedly changing managers when results deteriorated.

Carrick said after the Atletico match that he had not seen the interview and needed to establish more before deciding whether any response was required. He nevertheless defended the squad's unity and willingness to work. Martinez's subsequent statement similarly emphasised cooperation, expressing confidence in the players, their manager and others working for the club, and describing continued collective effort as the route forward.

United are winless in five matches and have recorded two victories in nine games this season. They sit 13th in the Premier League, with six points from six matches. Their next fixture is away to Leeds United on Sunday, 18 October.