Man United: Martinez and Amass Exits, Rooney Rise, Ferguson Abuse

Manchester United’s planned defensive overhaul next summer is expected to bring Lisandro Martinez’s time at Old Trafford to an end.

The Argentina international faced criticism after speaking out following United’s 2-0 Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid last week. Martinez questioned the club’s summer transfer strategy and said he had expected more from football director Jason Wilcox. However, sources maintain that his comments will not determine the defender’s future.

United fined Martinez for the remarks, while the player later apologised for their timing. In his statement, he added: ‘Everyone at the club is doing everything they can to make the team successful.’

The 28-year-old began Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Leeds at Elland Road but was withdrawn at half-time after suffering a thigh problem. His latest injury comes after he has already missed around 20 months of football during his four-year spell at United. When available, Martinez has been a consistent presence on the left side of central defence since joining from Ajax for £57million in 2022. He has made 115 appearances for the club, scoring four times.

Martinez’s current contract expires at the end of June, and a fresh long-term agreement appears unlikely. United would be unwilling to lose a 2022 World Cup winner without a fee, meaning the club could activate a 12-month extension before attempting to sell him during the summer transfer window.

Jarrad Branthwaite remains on United’s radar after Everton rejected two bids worth as much as £50million in 2024. The Manchester club could revive its interest in the Everton centre-back next summer.

There is also uncertainty surrounding Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire. Shaw’s contract ends after 12 years at Old Trafford and contains no extension option. Maguire, meanwhile, has a 12-month clause that United can activate on the one-year deal he signed in April.

United must decide whether to retain both defenders, but Matthijs de Ligt’s position appears secure. The Dutchman has been sidelined for almost a year following surgery on a back injury and was an unused substitute in the recent games against Leeds and Atletico Madrid. Nevertheless, he is contracted until 2029 and has the option of an additional season.

Fergie under fire

The enduring hostility between Manchester United and Leeds was evident before Sunday’s match, when Sir Alex Ferguson’s chauffeur-driven vehicle arrived at Elland Road accompanied by four police motorcycles.

With the fixture regarded as one of English football’s most volatile rivalries, United, Leeds and local police took extra precautions to ensure the legendary former manager entered the stadium safely.

Ferguson, 84, is currently using a walking stick while recovering from an Achilles problem. The injury has also required him to wear a protective boot.

Despite the security measures, a video shared on social media appeared to show one supporter verbally abusing Ferguson as he left his seat at half-time. The former United boss had been sitting alongside his ex-kit man, Albert Morgan, before making his way to the directors’ lounge.

Ferguson held the upper hand throughout his managerial rivalry with Leeds, recording 20 victories in 36 meetings and suffering only five defeats.

The bitterness between the clubs was highlighted again when former Leeds manager Jesse Marsch, now in charge of Canada, referred to United as ‘the scum’ while praising Daniel Farke’s team for their display in Monday’s 1-1 draw.

No Carrick summit

Despite speculation that Michael Carrick and Jason Wilcox held summit talks at Carrington on Monday, Confidential understands that the pair did not meet at the training ground.

Even though the players were off after Sunday’s draw at Leeds before training and travelling to Italy on Tuesday for the Champions League clash with Como, Carrick and Wilcox didn’t have an opportunity to get together after a tough week for both men.

Wilcox came under scrutiny in the wake of Lisandro Martinez’s bombshell TV interview in Madrid, while United’s 2-0 defeat by Atletico and a pair of 1-1 draws with Tottenham and Leeds in the Premier League left Carrick without a win in six games.

However, insiders say that Wilcox still retains the trust of minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and there is no appetite to change head coach despite Carrick overseeing United’s worst start to a league season in 40 years.

Amass heads for the exit

There is a growing expectation that Harry Amass will leave United in January after playing just 18 minutes of first-team football so far this season.

Even with a raft of injuries at left back, 19-year-old Amass has found himself on the outside looking in with right backs Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui and centre back Ayden Heaven all chosen ahead of him while Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu are sidelined through injury. His only appearance this season was a cameo off the bench in the 4-0 Champions League win over Sabah last month.

United were open to both a loan or permanent move for Amass in the summer, but their inability to recruit a new left back meant the club’s hands were tied. Burnley were among the teams who held talks before choosing not to proceed, and Confidential understands around a dozen Championship clubs are ready to come back to the negotiating table with the January window fast approaching.

Amass, who joined from Watford’s academy three years ago, thrived on loan at Sheffield Wednesday last season, and with United out of the Carabao Cup and seemingly reluctant to use Amass even when stretched to the max in his position, expect movement for the youngster in the next eight to ten weeks.

Tavernier a target?

United are one of the Premier League clubs being linked with a move for Bournemouth winger Marcus Tavernier in January.

However, Old Trafford sources say they are not proactively tracking the 27-year-old, who is also said to be attracting interest from Liverpool and Chelsea four years after he moved to the Vitality Stadium from Middlesbrough in a £10m deal.

Tavernier has been in fine form to start the season, scoring four times in seven league games including in Bournemouth’s 2-0 win over Sunderland on Sunday that secured the Cherries their first three points of the campaign.

It’s understood rival clubs have been encouraged by Bournemouth’s willingness to consider selling players at the right price in January. England midfielder Alex Scott – who was on United’s radar before they signed Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos as part of a midfield rebuild in the summer – may be one of them if clubs offer between £80-100m.

Kai strikes right chord

While Wayne Rooney generates plenty of headlines behind a microphone these days, it was son Kai who made a statement on the pitch over the past week.

Injuries have been a source of real frustration for the 16-year-old, but he is fit again and back in the fold. Rooney made his UEFA Youth League debut for the Under 19s away to Atletico Madrid, and followed that up three days later with his Under 21s debut against Nottingham Forest.

He dropped back down to the Under 18s, also against Forest, to get himself back on the scoresheet but things are heating up nicely for Rooney who remains one of the only true centre-forward options in the academy.

Chido Obi is out on loan while Louie Bradbury has joined Stoke City. It means that Rooney takes on huge significance across the age groups, not least with United having used a false-nine system to this point in the Under 19s and Under 21s.