Martinez cleared for Leeds clash after United board apology

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick confirmed Friday that defender Lisandro Martinez will be available for this weekend’s Premier League trip to Elland Road, closing a turbulent week that saw the Argentine publicly challenge the club’s recruitment strategy.

The 28-year-old center-back will travel to face Leeds United after issuing a formal apology Thursday. Martinez met directly with technical director Jason Wilcox, chief executive Omar Berrada, and Carrick to address his post-match comments following a 2-0 Champions League defeat at Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

Speaking in the Spanish capital, Martinez accused United’s hierarchy of failing to adequately back Carrick in the transfer market, specifically singling out Wilcox for not strengthening the playing squad. By Wednesday, the defender had taken to social media to walk back the criticism, attributing his remarks to “anger and frustration.” He later stated the matter was resolved and the squad remained “fully focused on winning together.”

Public critiques of front-office personnel by active players remain rare in English football and carry significant professional risk. Wayne Rooney, who spent over a decade as a striker at Old Trafford, quickly labeled Martinez’s initial outburst “disrespectful,” reflecting the broader institutional expectation that internal grievances stay behind closed doors.

Carrick moved to insulate the dressing room from further fallout during his pre-match press briefing.

“It’s done really,” Carrick said. “We’ve moved on from that. It was one of those things. He has come out and acknowledged the situation and as a group we have moved on. It is really not a drama for us as a group. The boys have trained really well, there was a really good feeling around training this morning.”

The timing of the dispute complicates an already precarious stretch for United. The club sits winless across its last five matches in all competitions, a run during which Martinez has drawn scrutiny for individual defensive errors contributing to dropped points. Historically, the rivalry with Leeds adds another layer of volatility. Matches between the two clubs, rooted in the historic Lancashire-Yorkshire regional divide, frequently produce high foul counts and intense atmospheres, making squad discipline paramount for any visiting manager.

Martinez’s future at Old Trafford remains unresolved regardless of this week’s reconciliation. His current contract expires next summer, placing him in the final year of his deal. Under FIFA regulations, players entering the last six months of a contract can negotiate freely with foreign clubs, meaning Martinez could begin preliminary talks with international suitors as early as January if an extension is not agreed upon. For a player who joined United from Ajax in 2022 and established himself as a physical anchor in central defense, the lack of a renewed commitment signals either stalled negotiations or strategic hesitation from both sides amid the current losing streak.

United finalized their travel arrangements for West Yorkshire on Friday afternoon following their final training session at Carrington.