Lisandro Martinez put himself in the firing line on Tuesday night as he criticised Manchester United's hierarchy following the defeat to Atletico Madrid
Lisandro Martinez pictured heading to the gym ahead of Tuesday's Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid
Lisandro Martinez pictured heading to the gym ahead of Tuesday's Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Lisandro Martinez is not someone shy about giving his opinion. After Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt mocked him ahead of Manchester United's clash with Manchester City last season, the defender called the Class of '92 duo out in the mixed zone and contacted them directly to address their criticism.
In the summer, Martinez and Cristian Romero hit back at Gary Neville after he criticised their defensive partnership for Argentina, at the World Cup. As a member of United's leadership group, even with his track record, it was only right that he stepped up to do the media interviews after another defeat. But nobody at United would have expected him to direct his sharp tongue at the boardroom.
Martinez admitted he expected more from United in the transfer window. But perhaps the bit that could land him in the most trouble came when he posed the question as to why no-one in the boardroom was facing the pressure of being sacked.
That comment appeared to be aimed at Jason Wilcox - United's director of football. There are few people more senior than Wilcox and United insist his position is safe. So if that is the case, you would have to presume that consequences are coming for Martinez.
No decisions were made on Wednesday about Martinez. Instead, the players were given a scheduled day off before they return to Carrington on Thursday, ahead of the trip to Leeds. The 28-year-old will expect to be called into a meeting room on Thursday to discover his fate. But perhaps one punishment should be off the table - banishment.
At times in the last few years, Carrington has resembled The Traitors' round table, with players frequently being banished from the first team. During Ruben Amorim's tenure, he created a 'bomb squad' to distance those who wanted to leave the club, from the remainder of the team.
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While in theory that could work - out of sight, out of mind, and so on - what it actually does is sow division in the squad. Especially on a topic as divisive as Martinez's comments, where the dressing room is likely to be split. Some will back Martinez fully, others may think he has overstepped the mark.
However, putting him outside the tent threatens to undo the hard work Carrick has done to bring this team together. Yes, results have not been good enough, but at least it no longer feels like a civil war is taking place among the players.
Naturally, Martinez has questions to answer for putting his teammates into this uncomfortable position. However, simply banishing him for calling out the ownership, feels unwise.
When Cristiano Ronaldo was widely criticised, and eventually left the club, for his outspoken interview with Piers Morgan, the response from United was easy. Ronaldo unleashed on everyone - including the Glazers - but also Erik ten Hag. His position at the club had become untenable.
With Martinez it is different. If anything, he backed Carrick. His issue is with those above him and that's why a punishment like banishing him from the first team feels like the wrong decision.
What United do instead to deal with Martinez, is anyone's guess.