Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has insisted he has no doubts about Lisandro Martinez's commitment to the club, despite the defender's recent red card and public criticism of the director of football. The comments come as United reportedly make contact with representatives of Bayern Munich teenager Lennart Karl.
Carrick Backs Martinez Despite Red Card
Martinez was sent off during United's 2-0 Premier League defeat at Chelsea on Saturday, receiving two bookings for lashing out at Morgan Rogers and catching Wesley Fofana with a stray arm. The Argentine also criticised director of football Jason Wilcox last month, and his contract expires in the summer.
Speaking about the 28-year-old's commitment, Carrick said: "No, I've got no concerns about commitment at all. 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."
He added: "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."
United Reportedly Contact Karl's Representatives
United have reportedly reached out to Lennart Karl's representatives as the 18-year-old attacking midfielder continues to impress at Bayern Munich. Karl has made more than 50 appearances for Bayern and has been capped at senior level by Germany.
Recent remarks by Bayern's honorary president, Uli Hoeness, have not been well received by Karl's agent, former Germany international Michael Ballack. Hoeness said: "He's far from being a superstar. Young players need humility. Comparisons with Michael Olise obviously don't do him any good. There's still a world of difference between them."
According to Bild, those comments have caused 'unrest' and put United, Liverpool and Arsenal on alert. The trio are said to have contacted Karl to discuss his circumstances, with the report suggesting he could be available for as little as £50million. His contract runs until 2029.
United's Precarious Position
The club's torrid season continued with the defeat at Chelsea, leaving United hovering just above the relegation zone on goal difference. Carrick remains in post after a reprieve following the home defeat to Bournemouth, and good results against Roma on Tuesday and Aston Villa on Sunday would help shift some of the negativity surrounding the club.
Roma arrive at Old Trafford sitting third in Serie A, undefeated after 10 games, and have collected four points from three Champions League outings compared to United's three points following consecutive losses to Atletico Madrid and Como. Carrick also confirmed there was nothing new to report regarding potential contract extensions for Martinez and Bruno Fernandes, both of whom will be allowed to hold talks with non-English clubs in January.
