Michael Carrick confirms Lisandro Martinez thigh injury

It’s been an eventful week for Lisandro Martinez.

The Argentine defender faced plenty of backlash following Manchester United’s two-nil defeat in midweek against Atletico Madrid.

After a series of poor performances, Martinez felt the time was right to have his say on the club’s hierarchy, specifically aiming at Director of Football Jason Wilcox for his oversight of the squad.

Martinez was forced to apologise afterwards, putting out a public statement appearing to backtrack on his claims, writing, “I know that every single person at Manchester United is doing everything possible to achieve our shared ambition: bringing the success that this club and its supporters deserve.”

Despite the saga, Michael Carrick handed his centre-half an immediate start at Elland Road on Sunday in the Premier League.

However, Martinez was substituted at half-time for full-back Noussair Mazraoui, with the Red Devils leading one-nil courtesy of a Bryan Mbeumo goal.

The substitute meant just Harry Maguire of United’s back four was playing in his favoured position, with Diogo Dalot wrongsided on the left, Leny Yoro at full-back and Mazraoui defending centrally.

The change did not help defensively, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin levelling the scoreline six minutes later. It proved the final goal of the encounter.

Michael Carrick has since confirmed that Martinez was forced off injured, saying post-match, “He felt his thigh a little bit,” according to talkSPORT.

It’s another setback, following the news that 20-year-old defender Ayden Heaven missed out through illness.

United face a trip to Como in midweek for a UEFA Champions League clash. Then, AFC Bournemouth visit Old Trafford in the Premier League.

Michael Carrick and Manchester United will be hoping that both Martinez and Heaven will be back up and running as soon as possible, as a jam-packed fixture list approaches.