Michael Carrick has said he has no concerns about Lisandro Martinez's commitment to Manchester United, after the defender was sent off for the second time this year during the weekend match against Chelsea.
Martinez received a second booking for throwing his arm at Wesley Fofana at Stamford Bridge, capping another error-strewn performance. The 28-year-old was ready to leave the club in the summer and has struggled with poor form all season. He also went public with criticism of the club's hierarchy after the Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid last month.
Contract Situation and Future
Martinez's contract expires at the end of this season, and while United have the option to extend it by a year, it seems certain the centre-back is approaching the end of his Old Trafford career. Despite his catalogue of mistakes this season, Carrick is not concerned that the Argentine has mentally checked out.
Martinez is suspended for the Premier League game against Aston Villa at the weekend but is set to feature against Roma on Tuesday.
Carrick's Response
"No, I've got no concerns about commitment at all," Carrick said when asked about Martinez. "Things happen in football. Sometimes you do things, sometimes you make a decision, sometimes you make mistakes. But the commitment is not an issue for sure."
"The dressing room is a good, good place, so perceptions are a funny thing. They can make things look all sorts of different ways and think about all sorts of different things. I've said it before, the commitment of the players to the club, to me, to each other is something I don't question at all. We need to play better, we can make better decisions, but commitment's not a thing at all."
Bruno Fernandes Contract Update
Bruno Fernandes is in the same contract situation as Martinez, and United need to make a decision on their options before the end of the year. Otherwise, they will be able to talk to foreign clubs and agree a free transfer move for the summer from January.
"When anything's finalised, you know how discussions go and when anything's finalised, we'll let you know. But at this stage, there's nothing any further to update, really," said Carrick.
