The outburst

Lisandro Martínez criticised Manchester United's hierarchy straight after the 2-0 Champions League defeat at Atlético Madrid on Tuesday, 13 October. He said he expected more from Jason Wilcox, the club's director of football, who had been responsible for reinforcing the squad this season. The comments came while United had taken only six points from their opening six league games, a start the Evening Standard describes as the club's worst league start in 40 years. Former striker Wayne Rooney claimed the comments would "rip the dressing room apart", a view that was put to Carrick.

The apology

On Thursday, 15 October, Martínez posted an apology on Instagram after what he described as a very positive conversation with the board and Carrick. He said his frustration after the defeat had led him to speak at a time and place that were perhaps not the right ones, and he acknowledged that his words had not helped the club's unity. The statement did not name Wilcox and did not retract his point that the squad needs more investment, so it focused on the timing and location of the remarks. He closed by saying the group was now fully focused on winning together.

Carrick closes the matter

On Friday, 16 October, Carrick told a press conference that the issue was closed and that the squad had trained well that morning. Asked whether an apology to Wilcox was needed, he said the statement was enough for everyone to move on.

“He's released his statement, he's realised he's made a mistake and that's enough for all of us to move on with.”

Carrick also said the group had moved on and that Martínez would be available for the trip to Leeds. He added that it was not a drama for the group.

“It is really not a drama for us as a group.”

Asked whether the outburst had annoyed him, Carrick said he understood emotion at times and that the club asks players for passion, fire and care.

Pressure ahead of Leeds

Carrick also brushed off suggestions that his job was under threat. He said the club was bigger than any individual.

“Manchester United is a lot bigger than any individual, bigger than me, bigger than any player.”

United have collected six points from six league games and lost to Brighton in the Carabao Cup in September. According to the Irish Examiner, United are winless in five games heading into Sunday, 18 October, when they travel to Leeds. Summer recruitment focused on midfield, leaving no back-up left-back or second striker, and Luke Shaw and Benjamin Sesko have both missed time through injury.

Wider questions

A column in inews argued that responsibility for United's problems runs from the owners down through the executive team and into the dressing room. It noted that Sir Jim Ratcliffe's minority ownership is almost three years old and recalled that the Glazers paid barely a third of the £800m purchase price in 2005, with the rest financed by loans. The column also said a £500m debt had more than doubled since then, and it argued that Ratcliffe's approach has been finance-first despite his promise of a football-first revamp.