Champions League

It certainly seems like this is a story that will rumble on.

All eyes will be on Michael Carrick's next news conference before Sunday's short trip over the Pennines to take on Leeds United at Elland Road.

Will Lisandro Martinez be in the starting XI? Only time will tell.

Scroll down for all the latest reaction to the Argentina centre-back's comments.

There is plenty more football to be played elsewhere before United's next match.

Liverpool take on LASK from 17:45 BST in one of today's two early evening Champions League games.

Then Aston Villa host Fenerbahce and Manchester City take on defending champions Paris St-Germain at the Etihad from 20:00 BST.

Join us later on the BBC Sport website for live text coverage and radio commentary, followed by highlights of all this week's Champions League ties.

Speaking in January after a 1-1 draw against Leeds United, then-head coach Ruben Amorim criticised the club's hierarchy by saying they need to "do their job".

"I just want to say I came here to be the manager, not to be the coach," he said.

"In every department – the scouting department, the sporting director – [they] need to do their job. I will do mine for 18 months and then we move on.

"I just want to say that I'm going to be the manager of this team, not just the coach. I was really clear on that. That is going to finish in 18 months and then everyone is going to move on. That was the deal. That is my job. Not to be a coach."

A day later, Amorim was sacked.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick was initially asked for his response to Lisandro Martinez's remarks live on TV, before heading to the post-match news conference where he was questioned about the comments by three different reporters.

"I haven't seen the interview," he said. "I've half heard about it. It's a bit about the emotions of the game.

"Straight after the game is not the time to talk about that interview and I can't really comment on that. It's important for us to move forward quickly.

"As a group, I don't doubt the togetherness and us wanting to win. I know results-wise, it's easy to look and think there's something deeply wrong, but the players have been great in their willing."

Asked if he would speak to Martinez about his comments, Carrick said: "I need to find out a bit more about it before I can say if and what is going to be done."

• Carrick also accepted that "the boys are hurting" - watch that part of his post-match news conference below.

On the face of things, Manchester United's performance last night was actually an improvement on Saturday's drab display against Spurs.

They created a series of openings, looked more energetic in midfield and gave up fewer chances.

So, what sparked Lisandro Martinez's comments?

Has the frustration just been building for weeks and it overflowed last night? Was it the sight of international centre-back partner Cristian Romero celebrating? Was it premeditated? Let us know what you think.

Image source, Getty Images

Honesty is one thing, but where will it actually leave Lisandro Martinez?

The Argentina defender is in the final year of his contract and his below-par performances have come under the spotlight this season, none more so than against Tottenham on Sunday.

Oh to be a fly on the wall at Carrington this week.

Martinez's comments have certainly caused a stir, and it will be interesting to see how the club deal with it.

Will Carrick drop the World Cup winner for Sunday's trip to rivals Leeds? Will he defend his comments? Will the club fine the former Ajax man? Will Martinez apologise?

Everything's on the table, but one thing's for sure: this will rumble on.

Image source, Getty Images

One pundit was prepared to stand up for Lisandro Martinez's right to voice his concerns about Manchester United's transfer policy.

While Paul Robinson stressed that Martinez's form this season has been questionable, the former Tottenham goalkeeper liked his honesty after the match.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I question his timing - with the noise around Manchester United at the moment, positivity needs to come out of the dressing room.

"But on the flip side of that I actually quite like it - a player being honest.

"Every Manchester United fan across the country doesn't need their players coming out saying 'we're doing ok, the squad's strong enough'.

"Everyone can see they didn't recruit well enough and they need more players and the squad's not strong enough."

We asked you earlier to take part in our poll on Lisandro Martinez's comments.

The majority of responses - 52% - agreed with the Argentina defender, that it needed to be said.

That is in stark contrast to the majority of pundits, with the likes of Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young, Theo Walcott and Jamie Carragher believing he was wrong to voice his concerns publicly.

Image source, Getty Images

And Jamie Carragher expanded further on his comments about Lisandro Martinez, saying the World Cup winner was a "good player" but has had an "awful" start to this season, mirroring Manchester United's form.

"When he's saying 'we had a fantastic season last season', they didn't," added Carragher. "A manager [Ruben Amorim] got sacked last season. Sacked.

"They finished third because they had no cup games. They were knocked out of the cup competitions very early. The reason they finished third is Liverpool and Chelsea were that bad as well.

"Now we're seeing the real Manchester United this season. They were awful again tonight.

"And him as well, when he's talking at the start of this season - I think he's a good player, by the way, he's a World Cup winner, I get that - he's had an awful start to the season. Awful. Real poor.

"And yeah, people are lapping it up, Manchester United fans will. That does nobody any good at all."

Ashley Young was another former Manchester United player who spoke out against Lisandro Martinez, questioning whether the defender had earned the "right" to speak out in the way he did.

"We know recruitment has to work and be better but players have to be better," said Young. "They are the ones who have to produce.

"There's going to be no change now. That could create [issues] all week after what was a good performance."

For Lisandro Martinez, his 7 out of 10 against Atletico was a marked improvement on the 4.15 awarded to him by BBC Sport readers on Saturday, after his errant marking led to Tottenham's late equaliser.

Former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson and ex-Arsenal forward Theo Walcott were in agreement that Martinez's performances so far this season have been "part of the problem".

Walcott added that the Argentine's comments were "disrespectful to his team-mates".

Hear from them both below.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport Chief Football News Reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Senne Lammens: Didn't have loads to do but spotted danger to make a vital clearance as Julian Alvarez threatened to race through on goal and thankful to the woodwork on two occasions. 7

Diogo Dalot: Slightly out of position on the transition for the opener - but at this level, the damage can be immense. First minute mistake and shaky for a bit afterwards but got better. 6

Leny Yoro: Moved into favoured role and was making a positive impression until VAR intervention ended his night early with a red card. 5

Lisandro Martinez: Vital interception to prevent a clear Atletico opportunity for a second goal near end of first half. 7

Ayden Heaven: Tried to keep Pablo Barrios' first-minute shot out but ended up just sliding it into the net. Effectively United's fourth-choice left-back but grew into the game and can be pleased with his effort. 7

Andrey Santos: Surprise start. Early passing not crisp or accurate enough but like many United players, got better as the game went on. Did well enough to question why he has been used so infrequently this season. 6

Carlos Baleba: (off 65, Mount): Not enough power on a far-post header, otherwise he might have marked his full debut with the equaliser. Played more advanced than Andrey Santos and pair dovetailed well. 6

Youri Tielemans: (off 65, Amad): Didn't get on the ball too often and when he did in first half, had no-one in dangerous position to pass to. Excellent pass to create opportunity for Bruno Fernandes. 6

Bruno Fernandes: Started in an unfamiliar right-sided role but strangely indecisive at times. Fizzed early cross in at start of second half but Mbeumo didn't make the run, then lifted shot over Oblak but just wide. Deflected shot went straight to keeper. Hit the bar after that. 5

Marcus Rashford (off 65, Zirkzee): Pace caused a problem for the Atletico defence but couldn't apply the finish to Martinez's lofted pass. Failure to track back in first half picked up by Wayne Rooney. Tracking back in second got him booked. 5

Bryan Mbeumo: Couldn't take early chance to equalise and denied by Oblak with a second opportunity. 6

The question is, how many of Manchester United's starters from Tuesday's defeat at Atletico Madrid will be front and centre again at Elland Road this weekend?

Despite the defeat, and their nightmare start at the Metropolitano, United's performance as a whole was deemed an improvement on Saturday's draw at home to Tottenham.

Simon Stone's player ratings reflect that, with Lisandro Martinez rated one of the better performers...

Manchester United

As mentioned, things aren't easing up for Michael Carrick and Manchester United - if there is ever a good time for an away day in Leeds, this Sunday probably isn't it.

United's next five fixtures:

• Leeds (a) - 18 Oct
• Como (a) - 21 Oct
• Bournemouth (h) - 25 Oct
• Chelsea (a) - 31 Oct
• Roma (h) - 3 Nov

Manchester United

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Michael Carrick's leadership was under the microscope heading into Tuesday night's defeat at Atletico Madrid.

Interestingly enough, the post-match debate was almost certainly going to focus on his record as manager this season, before Lisandro Martinez stepped into the spotlight.

United extended their winless streak to five matches in all competitions - they have won just two of their nine competitive fixtures so far this term.

Carrick's side has struggled with defensive consistency this campaign, surrendering a 2-0 home lead to Brighton as they crashed out of the EFL Cup, while also losing the Manchester derby at Old Trafford.

And they have drawn their last two Premier League fixtures against Fulham and Spurs.

The squad now faces a quick turnaround before a fierce away day at Elland Road against Leeds United, followed by another European trip to face Como.

Meanwhile, Manchester United manager Michael Carrick said that he hadn't seen Lisandro Martinez's interview during his post-match news conference last night.

And he added that it would not be the right time to discuss them, saying that what he had heard about his comments could be down to the "emotions of the game".

Watch his full response below.