Shot Football

Carrick insists there is no rift in Man Utd dressing room

ESPNESPN•1 hour ago
Carrick insists there is no rift in Man Utd dressing room

Michael Carrick dismisses concerns over dressing-room tensions after Lisandro Martínez’s criticism of Manchester United’s squad, insisting the players have moved on and are united ahead of Sunday’s clash with Leeds United.

Michael Carrick has insisted there are no divisions within the Manchester United dressing room after Lisandro Martínez criticised the strength of the squad.

Martínez has apologised after his barbed comments aimed at director of football Jason Wilcox following the 2-0 defeat to Atlético Madrid on Tuesday.

The Argentina defender also suggested the squad was not good enough to compete in the Champions League.

Advertisement

It prompted Wayne Rooney to say the post-match interview could "rip the dressing room apart." But Carrick said he had no concerns about a rift among the players.

"It's done really," Carrick told a news conference on Friday.

"We've moved on from that. It's really not a drama for us as a group. I have to say, they were in really good spirits and trained really well, so we've moved on pretty quickly.

"There's a lot of people that say a lot of things, and ex-pros or not ex-pros, it doesn't necessarily mean you understand what's going on here.

"Just because people talk from the outside, that doesn't mean that's the truth. I'm telling you the truth. The squad today was in a fantastic place, better than I've seen it for a while, actually."

United head to Leeds United on Sunday on a run of five games without a win.

The poor form has put pressure on Carrick, but the 45-year-old said the eventful week could end up bringing the players closer together.

"Certain situations, it can galvanise the group, and it's certainly galvanised the group as this week's progressed," he said.

"The boys are, I have to say, in a really good place right now.

"I don't need results. I don't need results, we all need results. It's not about me, you know? It's not about me. Manchester United is a lot bigger than any individual, bigger than me, bigger than any player, anyone else who works at this football club.

"Whatever's best for the football club and for the team on Sunday is the most important thing, it really is not about me."

Related Topics