Michael Carrick has confirmed that Lisandro Martinez is part of Manchester United’s squad for Sunday’s trip to Leeds, following the defender’s apology for his criticism of the club’s hierarchy.
Speaking at Friday’s press conference, Carrick said: “He’s part of the squad, yeah.” United’s official team-news update confirms his availability, although that does not guarantee a place in the starting line-up.
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Lisandro Martinez cleared for Leeds selection
James Ducker’s Telegraph report, published on Thursday evening, says Martinez met Carrick, director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada after training.
Ducker reports that United’s leadership and manager decided the defender should be available for Leeds after he expressed his wish to apologise. The report says he is understood to have been fined, while the precise details of any internal action remain private.
Lisandro Martinez had criticised recruitment and accountability following the Champions League defeat at Atletico Madrid. Thursday’s meeting and apology are a later development, separate from his earlier explanation of those comments.
Apology follows talks with club leaders
In the statement quoted by the Telegraph, Martinez described the meeting as “a very positive conversation” in which those involved could speak openly about what had happened.
He also acknowledged that his words after the defeat had not helped the club. United sources told the newspaper that everyone had put the incident behind them and considered the matter closed.
For Lisandro Martinez, the immediate consequence is that the dispute does not itself rule him out of the Leeds match. The next decision belongs to Carrick, who must choose his team.
Our report on Wilcox’s position and United’s January planning covers the wider recruitment context and the subsequent apology and reported fine.
Availability is not a confirmed start
Lisandro Martinez being available should not be confused with a team announcement. Ducker explicitly leaves open whether Carrick will start the defender at Elland Road.
Nor does the reported resolution settle every question about his future. The Telegraph says his longer-term position remains uncertain, despite the club’s wish to move on from this week’s dispute.
The official fixture announcement puts Sunday’s game at 2pm UK time. Leeds will have home support behind them, and Carrick still has the task of preparing United for that test.
Lisandro Martinez is now confirmed as part of the squad, rather than only reportedly cleared to be considered. Carrick still has the separate decision of who starts at Elland Road.
