Gary Neville believes Leny Yoro or Ayden Heaven will be hurt most by Lisandro Martinez's criticism of Manchester United. Martinez launched a public attack on the club's hierarchy after the Champions League defeat by Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
The defender criticised director of football Jason Wilcox and the United board in two separate interviews over a perceived lack of support for Michael Carrick. United have not publicly responded to the remarks, but Martinez could face possible internal sanctions and an uncertain future.
Neville's warning to young defenders
Speaking on the latest episode of The Overlap, Neville said Yoro or Heaven will be feeling nervous and anxious as a result of their teammate's comments.
He said: "What he says is right, they should have brought in more defenders. However, you can't say that as a player.
"If you say that publicly as a player, you're effectively saying that the players I'm playing with are not good enough. That's where the players have to pick him up.
"If you're Leny Yoro or Ayden Heaven, and you've got a little doubt about settling into the first-team, and you're a young player, you're thinking: 'My World Cup-winning centre-back has said we should have brought more players in so I don't play,' you're really feeling nervous and anxious."
Keane brands United a 'circus'
Former United captain Roy Keane branded his old club a 'circus', saying: "They're obviously not together. It is chaotic there from the top to the bottom. We go there on match days and I don't like the feeling around the club.
"It just seems chaotic – statements can reflect it. It was chaotic with how they got to (Michael) Carrick as their manager.
"We said from day one there were better options out there, and maybe the players are looking at there's better options as players out there. It's chaos, it's like a circus."
Keane later added: "I don't think it will be a big falling out. Because I think we've question marks over this dressing room anyway.
"I don't think there's enough characters, enough men in there. We know that. But I don't see him as a senior player at Man United; I see him as a centre-half who's making lots of mistakes."
Martinez's social media statement
Martinez attempted to take the sting out of his outburst in a statement released on social media on Wednesday night. Taking to Instagram, he wrote: "After the match, I spoke out of anger and frustration at not getting the result we all wanted.
"Those who know me know how I live football, with passion, commitment and a huge desire to win. And when things don't go our way, it hurts, especially when representing a club with the history and stature of Manchester United.
"My words reflect how I feel and how much I want to see this club competing for the biggest honours. Those high standards are part of how I see football and the responsibility that comes with wearing this shirt.
"When I talk about wanting more, I'm talking about the ambition we must all have as part of this club.
"To keep growing, to become stronger and to have everything we need to compete at the highest level. These are standards we must all hold ourselves to, starting with me."
