Carrick says outsiders do not know the full picture at Manchester United

Michael Carrick says Manchester United are in a “great” internal environment and insists comments from people outside the club do not necessarily reflect what is happening within the team.

United are preparing to face Leeds United on Sunday in the seventh round of the Premier League, with Carrick defending the mood around his squad ahead of the match.

“There are a lot of people saying a lot of things, whether they are former players or not, but that does not necessarily mean they understand what is happening inside the club,” Carrick said at his press conference.

The Manchester United manager said the team’s current situation was better than it had been for some time, based on what he sees on a daily basis.

“I am telling you the truth: the team is in a great position today, and it is in a better place than I have seen it for a while,” he said.

“That is simply how it is. We live in this atmosphere every day and we know what it feels like.”

Carrick was also asked about an apology issued by Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez.

Martinez made comments to journalists after Manchester United’s 2-0 defeat by Atletico de Madrid, saying the club was experiencing a major crisis and criticising the standard of its new signings.

He later released a statement acknowledging that he had made a mistake. Carrick said that was enough for the matter to be put behind the squad.

“He issued his statement and recognised that he had made a mistake,” Carrick said. “I think that is enough for all of us to move beyond the issue and move forward.”

Carrick added that Manchester United expect their players to show commitment to the club, but said those feelings must be expressed in an appropriate way.

“We ask the players for passion, emotion and enthusiasm, and we want them to care about the club,” he said. “But there is a way to express that, and this has already been acknowledged.”

Manchester United go into Sunday’s fixture 13th in the Premier League table with six points.

Leeds United are seventh with nine points.