Lisandro Martinez will not be dropped by Manchester United for their Premier League clash with Leeds at Elland Road, with Michael Carrick confirming the defender is available after apologising for his controversial outburst.
Martinez available after apology
The Argentine defender criticised the club hierarchy, particularly director of football Jason Wilcox, after United's 2-0 Champions League loss at Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. He also accused some team-mates of not working hard enough.
His comments reportedly sparked unrest in the dressing room, with at least one team-mate confronting him. Martinez has since apologised following talks with senior executives and has reportedly been fined. He remains in the matchday squad for Sunday's trip to Elland Road as United seek a first win in six games.
Carrick plays down drama
"It's done," Carrick said on Friday. "We've moved on from that. It was one of those things. 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 [Martinez] understood he made a mistake. We have a really good feeling from the club. Results wise it hasn't gone our way, but the spirit and togetherness, 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. He [Martinez] is available."
Team news and predicted XI
Bruno Fernandes is expected to return to his natural No10 role after being used as a right winger in Madrid. That could see Youri Tielemans drop out, with Carlos Baleba and Kobbie Mainoo preferred at the base of midfield, if Mainoo has recovered from the knock that kept him out against Atletico.
Bryan Mbeumo could move out wide to accommodate Matheus Cunha's return after the Brazilian was an unused substitute in midweek. Noussair Mazraoui is expected to ease United's defensive crisis after returning to training, while it is unclear whether Luke Shaw will be available.
Benjamin Sesko, Patrick Dorgu, Manuel Ugarte and Tom Heaton remain sidelined with more significant issues.
Predicted Manchester United XI vs Leeds (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Shaw, Heaven, Maguire, Dalot; Andrey Santos, Baleba; Rashford, Fernandes, Mbeumo; Cunha
Doubts: Mainoo, Shaw, Mazraoui. Injured: Sesko, Dorgu, Ugarte, Heaton.
Time and date: 2pm BST on Sunday October 18, 2026. Venue: Elland Road. How to watch: Sky Sports.
