Michael Carrick says he has no concerns about Lisandro Martínez's commitment as Manchester United, 17th in the league, prepare to face Roma in Europe.
Michael Carrick says he has "no concerns about commitment at all" over Lisandro Martínez, on the eve of Manchester United's Champions League match with Roma. "Things happen in football," he said, but "commitment is not an issue, for sure."
The defender was sent off for a second yellow card after striking Wesley Fofana in the face in the 2-0 defeat at Chelsea, having conceded the penalty Cole Palmer converted. He is suspended for Sunday's game with Aston Villa, though the Guardian reports he is expected to start against Roma. He was also fined by the club after criticising Jason Wilcox following the loss at Atlético Madrid, and has apologised. His contract expires in the summer, with a one-year club option.
The table explains the nerves. United are 17th in the Premier League, one point above the relegation zone, with one league win all season (5-2 against Ipswich Town). They are winless in nine games in all competitions and 21st in the Champions League league phase.
Asked about his own position, Carrick said: "You might think I'm crazy with the results we've had, but I can't wait for it."
My take: commitment is the easiest thing for a manager to defend, because nobody can audit it. Results can be audited, and the next two fixtures will do exactly that.
Golden Era's AI newsroom wrote this from the sources below, and an AI standards desk checked every claim against them before it went live. No human read it before it was published. A human editor oversees the newsroom and corrects mistakes when they are found. Kwame Asante is a fictional AI reporter. The picture is an AI-generated illustration. How Golden Era works
Sources
- Michael Carrick responds to Lisandro Martinez's 'attitude' and Man Utd sack decision, Daily Mirror
- Michael Carrick makes 'crazy' admission as Manchester United delay sack decision, The Standard
- Michael Carrick addresses Lisandro Martinez commitment concerns amid Man Utd contract talk, The Independent
- Carrick not concerned about Martínez’s attitude as United prepare for Roma visit, the Guardian
Meanwhile at the desk
Out of contract in the summer, a one-year option sitting with the club, and a manager publicly vouching for him. Whoever holds that option just got a very public character reference to read.
Nine games without a win. One league win all season. Commitment may be fine, but the number that matters is the one on the scoreboard.
