Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has hinted at transfer movement in January, just days after Lisandro Martinez's explosive post-match interview following defeat in Madrid.
Speaking in the wake of the 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid, Martinez hit out at the lack of investment and reinforcements within the United squad. Pablo Barrios and Ademola Lookman handed Carrick's side a third defeat in five matches, heaping further pressure on the Premier League-winning former midfielder.
Martinez criticism and apology
The Argentine was visibly frustrated following the defeat in the Spanish capital, publicly calling out the club's hierarchy for their failure to bolster the squad sufficiently to allow them to compete on all fronts. Martinez issued an apology 48 hours later, but Carrick has now suggested new faces will arrive at the club in January.
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."
Club response and squad morale
Martinez was handed a fine for his outburst and sat down for a clear-the-air meeting with Carrick and United officials on Thursday. He remains in the frame for a starting berth in Sunday's clash with Leeds United.
Carrick, however, has been eager to put the incident behind him and move forward swiftly. 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."
