Lisandro Martinez’s view that Michael Carrick has been sold short and the squad has not been equipped with the depth to fight on multiple fronts is shared by several senior players - and football staff. It has been discussed in the dressing room with the club aware of frustrations around recruitment. There was a fear ahead of the campaign that the squad would not be strengthened properly - the lack of cover at left-back and striker were major concerns, which is evidenced in how much the need for reinforcements was stressed during pre-season interviews. Told the driving reason behind Martinez’s airing these grievances publicly is fury that Carrick is likely going to lose his job despite not being given the tools to have a fair crack, and players are sick of reset after reset, without questions asked of the people in charge and what direction they’re taking the club in. Carrick and the team have faced criticism, accepted it, and owned up to performances being nowhere near good enough. Where is the accountability from the people who keep leading the club to one doom spiral after another?

Lisandro Martinez putting the pressure where it should ultimately be, on the ownership and hierarchy at Manchester United for their decision-making and the direction of the club. He is correct in saying that the performances have been “a reflection” of the club itself and that accountability stretches well beyond who is in the dugout plus the players. There can be no argument that the squad is lacking depth, quality, balance and the right profiles. He also nails it in terms of cycling through managers, but not having any question marks over what’s happening upstairs. United openly interviewed around Europe for Erik ten Hag’s successor, only to keep him and arm him with new coaches and circa £200m in players before sacking him and his staff for £10.4m. They hired Ruben Amorim despite knowing the squad - which they allowed EtH to shape - was so ill-suited to his approach. They were very aware Amorim was unwavering on his philosophy and promised to persevere with both him and it. Only to then try to dictate style, system and selections to him. They stuck with Michael Carrick only to sell him very short. Let’s not forget the big, long play to the tune of £3m to get Dan Ashworth, before paying £4.1m to axe him after five months. If the performances on the pitch are a mess, they speak to the state of play off the pitch.