Premier League press conferences and team news LIVE: Arteta, Maresca, Alonso and Carrick speaking

Simon Pierre
BBC Sport Chief Football News Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Michael Carrick avoided answering questions about Lisandro Martinez’s post-match outburst in Madrid on Tuesday by saying he had not seen the actual comments.

United officials then applied a stern “matter is settled now” to last night’s requests for clarification on Martinez’s apology.

Carrick could use these tips when he receives questions about Martinez during his press conference ahead of Sunday’s trip to Leeds. But that won’t stop him from getting peppered.

For example, given that Martinez apologized for the manner in which he said what he said rather than the words themselves, it can be assumed that his general point of view still stands.

United feel like they’re in trouble at the moment. Five games without a win is their worst run since a run of six games without a win at the end of the 2018-19 season after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was appointed permanent manager.

Carrick really needs to focus on sorting this out at Leeds on Sunday, in what is sure to be a hostile atmosphere at Elland Road.

I suspect he will spend more time than he would like dealing with the fallout from Martinez’s comments when he faces the media later.