Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has explained why Lisandro Martinez was substituted during the draw with Leeds, revealing the Argentine felt his thigh.
Martinez was playing his first game since making controversial comments about the Man United board and his team-mates following the 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. He kept his place in the starting line-up as Carrick made two changes to the side that began in the Spanish capital, with Harry Maguire and Amad Diallo coming in for Ayden Heaven and Marcus Rashford.
First-half withdrawal at Elland Road
Martinez played the first half at Elland Road and went in at the break with United 1-0 up thanks to Bryan Mbeumo's smart finish 10 minutes before half-time. However, he did not appear for the second half as he was replaced by a returning Noussair Mazraoui before joining the rest of the Man United substitutes on the bench.
Carrick has since provided an update, confirming Martinez picked up a knock. “He felt his thigh a little bit,” the Man United boss told reporters.
Doubt for Como clash
It now remains to be seen how serious the thigh issue is, though Martinez could be a doubt for Man United's next fixture against Como in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.
While United's draw with Leeds extended their winless run to six games across competitions, Carrick believes the point was a step in the right direction.
Carrick praises response
“It definitely was [a step in the right direction]. If there's any weakness, it gets found out today,” he said. “I could feel before the game that the players were ready for it. It wasn't perfect. Our confidence isn't sky-high, but the players were trying to do the right things. In moments we looked really good. Defended really well as a team. Credit to Daniel and his team. They are a very good team. They test you and ask a lot of questions. If you are not ready for it you get found out and I thought the boys stood up to it.”
