Lissandro realized he was wrong/Crick: It's over, we're not looking back

After Tuesday's defeat to Atletico Madrid, Martinez criticized Manchester United manager Jason Wilcox for not doing enough to strengthen the squad.

Michael Carrick has accepted Lisandro Martinez's apology for his scathing criticism of Manchester United's management and sporting director Jason Wilcox this week, and believes his team can take motivation from the sidelines, according to Sport Three.

The United manager said he will continue to use the Argentine defender in the squad and feels his side are not only not distracted, but can benefit from the incident. Carrick insisted that harmony within the squad had not been marred by Martinez's protests over the lack of signings and his implicit displeasure with the players Wilcox brought in over the summer.

In a statement released on Thursday, Martinez spoke to Carrick and senior United officials, although he did not retract some of his comments about Wilcox.

Carrick, 45, said: "Lysandor released his statement, he realized he was wrong and I think that's enough for all of us to get over it. Acknowledgment of the work done was definitive and sufficient, we've moved on and we're definitely not looking back."

Carrick confirmed the defender is available for Sunday's game against Leeds. "He is part of the squad, yes," said the United manager.

Manchester United have won just two of their first nine games in all competitions this season, but Carrick feels his side can come out of this difficult week stronger.

"There is a gut feeling and an understanding within the team that we want to turn things around and we want to do it very quickly," Carrick added. You understand the situation after the game, but it's been dealt with and we've really come through. The situation of the team today was extraordinary; Better than what I have seen in a while and everything is simple and clear. We are emotional and passionate and it means a lot to us. Sometimes someone says something that maybe shouldn't have been said at that moment, but it doesn't distract us from what we have built here and from the atmosphere and spirit of the team. The team was not harmed."

"Certain situations can bring a team closer together and this week as things have progressed, the suspension has brought the team closer together and the players are in very good shape at the moment," Carrick concluded.

Manchester United are waiting to see if left-back Luke Shaw and midfielder Kobe Maino will be fit to return against Leeds.