Michael Carrick responds to Lisandro Martinez interview after Manchester United defeat

According to a report by Manchester Evening News on Tuesday October 13, 2026, Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has responded to Lisandro Martinez’s explosive interview following the club’s defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Martinez criticised Manchester United’s recruitment strategy and questioned whether director of football Jason Wilcox had done enough to strengthen the squad during the summer transfer window.

The Argentine defender also defended Carrick, arguing that the manager should not be blamed for the team’s disappointing performances when he had not received the level of support he deserved in the transfer market.

However, Carrick refused to comment directly on Martinez’s remarks, explaining that he had not watched the interview and needed to understand the situation before deciding how to handle it.

Asked whether he would speak to the defender about his comments, Carrick said he needed to find out more before determining whether any action was necessary. “I haven’t seen the interview; I’ve heard about it as the interview was done, but I think it’s a little bit on the emotions of the game as well,” he said. “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.

The United manager explained that he had heard about the interview but had not seen it himself, making it difficult for him to offer a detailed response.

Carrick also suggested that the disappointment of losing to Atletico Madrid could have influenced Martinez’s comments, insisting that immediately after a game was not the right time to discuss the situation without knowing the full context.

Manchester United’s defeat in Madrid added to their difficult start to the season, with the club having won just two of their nine matches in all competitions, according to the report.

Martinez believes the club should have done more to build on the progress made during the previous campaign. Although United spent approximately £155 million on first-team players in the summer, the defender questioned whether the investment was sufficient to create a squad capable of competing consistently at the highest level.

The arrivals included goalkeeper Karl Darlow and midfielders Andrey Santos, Carlos Baleba and Youri Tielemans.

Despite the criticism directed at the club’s hierarchy, Carrick was keen to ensure that the controversy did not distract his players from their immediate responsibilities.

He stressed the importance of moving forward quickly, pointing to the significance of Manchester United’s upcoming Premier League fixture against Brighton on Sunday.

Carrick also defended his players’ attitude and commitment, insisting that he had no doubts about their togetherness or desire to win despite their disappointing results.

The manager acknowledged that the team was hurting after the defeat to Atletico Madrid but maintained that the players were working hard and were desperate to secure a better outcome.

He said the squad believed it could have taken something from the match, making the result particularly frustrating for everyone involved.

Martinez’s comments have nevertheless raised further questions about Manchester United’s recruitment strategy and the responsibilities of those overseeing the club’s football operations.

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