Ashley Young has told Manchester United to sell Lisandro Martinez, saying the club should "get rid" of the defender in the January transfer window. The former United player made the comments before the team's Champions League meeting with Roma, as the Red Devils look to end a winless run of nine matches that has increased pressure on manager Michael Carrick.
Martinez's recent controversies
Martinez has been in the headlines over the past few weeks. He criticised the club's hierarchy, calling out director of football Jason Wilcox after United's 2-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid. He was then sent off against Chelsea at the weekend in another 2-0 loss.
The centre-back was not acknowledged by his manager as he left the pitch at Stamford Bridge, despite issuing an apology a few days after his public comments on the club's recruitment strategy. The World Cup winner doubled down on his remarks with a social media statement before retracting that after a meeting with Carrick and the United board.
Benched for Roma clash
Martinez was left on the substitutes' bench for the visit of Roma, with Ayden Heaven preferred alongside Harry Maguire. The Argentina international is also suspended for the Premier League fixture against Aston Villa this weekend, which would usually have made him a certainty for the midweek game.
Speaking on Amazon Prime Video, Young said: "If I was the manager at the club or if I was one of the owners, I'd be looking at January and saying, 'get him out now'. Just get rid of him. Because he's not bringing anything to the football club."
It is understood that Martinez wanted to leave United in the summer transfer window and was looking to push through a move to Atletico, although a deal never properly progressed. His contract expires at the end of the season.
