Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has raised the possibility of movement in the January transfer window. The 45-year-old says they will be looking to come out of it in a stronger position, days after Lisandro Martinez's incendiary post-match interview after defeat in Madrid.
Martinez criticism after Atletico defeat
Speaking after the 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid, Martinez took aim at the lack of investment and reinforcements within the United squad. Pablo Barrios and Ademola Lookman inflicted a third defeat in the last five matches for Carrick's side, mounting pressure on the Premier League-winning midfielder.
The Argentine was left exasperated after the defeat in the Spanish capital and called out the hierarchy over their failure to prop up the squad in order to make them capable of competing on all fronts. Martinez would apologise 48 hours later, but Carrick has hinted that there will be players joining the squad in January.
Carrick on transfer plans
He told Sky Sports: "When the next transfer window comes, you want to plan and you want to make the best of it. Whatever that looks like at this stage, we don't quite know. But without doubt, there's opportunity because the transfer window is open."So we'll definitely be looking at that and trying to come out stronger in whatever way that looks like."
Martinez was fined for his outburst and held a clear-the-air meeting with Carrick and United figures on Thursday. He is in contention for a start in Sunday's showdown with Leeds United.
Squad spirit unaffected
Carrick, however, has been keen to brush the incident under the carpet and move on quickly. He said: "There's a lot of people saying a lot of things. Pros and ex-pros, that doesn't mean they know what's going on here."The players totally believe me. Just because people talk on the outside doesn't make it the truth. I am telling you the truth."
"The squad [on Friday] was in a fantastic place, better than I've seen it for a while, actually. It's plain and simple. It's not affected [the spirit], I'm telling you. We're in a good place."As a group we've moved on. It's really not a drama for the group. The squad have trained really well and they are in good spirits."It was pretty simple. We understood the situation. Licha understood he made a mistake. We have a really good feeling from the club. We can see in the group we want to do something with this situation."We've moved on. Genuinely. There is a freshness about the group."
