Lisandro Martinez to start for Manchester United at Leeds despite internal row

Manchester United will not drop Lisandro Martinez for Sunday's trip to Leeds, despite the defender publicly questioning the club's hierarchy and the application of some team-mates. The Argentina international remains available for Michael Carrick, who has moved to close the matter after the player apologised and was reportedly fined.

  • Fixture: Manchester United vs Leeds, Elland Road
  • Kick-off: 2pm BST, Sunday 18 October 2026
  • Competition: Premier League
  • Headline selection: Lisandro Martinez to feature despite internal row
  • Key tactical shift: Bruno Fernandes set to return to No 10
  • At stake: United are seeking a first win in six matches in all competitions

Confirmed line-ups

Manchester United (4-2-3-1)

Starting XI: Lammens; Shaw, Heaven, Maguire, Dalot; Andrey Santos, Baleba; Rashford, Fernandes, Mbeumo; Cunha.

Substitutes: Not stated in source.

Selection notes

Bruno Fernandes is expected to return to his natural No 10 position after being used on the right in Madrid. Youri Tielemans may lose his place, with Carlos Baleba and Kobbie Mainoo potentially anchoring midfield if Mainoo is fit. Bryan Mbeumo could shift wide to accommodate Matheus Cunha, who was unused in midweek.

Noussair Mazraoui has returned to training and could ease a stretched defence, while Luke Shaw remains a doubt. Longer-term absentees include Benjamin Sesko, Patrick Dorgu, Manuel Ugarte and Tom Heaton.

Doubts: Mainoo, Shaw, Mazraoui.
Injured: Sesko, Dorgu, Ugarte, Heaton.

What was said

"It's done. We've moved on from that. It was one of those things. As a group we've moved on. It's really not a drama for the group. The squad have trained really well and they are in good spirits."

— Michael Carrick, on the Martinez situation

"It was pretty simple. We understood the situation. Licha understood he made a mistake. We have a really good feeling from the club. Results wise it hasn't gone our way, but the spirit and togetherness, we can see in the group we want to do something with this situation."

— Carrick, on the squad's response

"We've moved on. Genuinely. There is a freshness about the group. He is available."

— Carrick, confirming Martinez's availability

Carrick's words are designed to draw a line under a week that threatened to derail United's preparations. The manager has chosen stability over further disruption, framing the incident as a closed chapter and stressing the squad's focus.

By making Martinez available, Carrick avoids extending the narrative beyond the weekend. The decision is pragmatic: dropping the defender would have kept the story alive, while selecting him signals that the internal matter has been dealt with and allows the team to concentrate on ending a six-match winless run.

Why Carrick keeps Martinez and reshapes the attack

Lisandro Martinez is not a routine selection at Elland Road. His public criticism of recruitment and team-mates could have justified exclusion, but Carrick needs his defensive aggression and left-footed distribution against a Leeds side that will press relentlessly. Playing him also removes a potential distraction, allowing the focus to shift to the tactical battle.

In midfield, the expected return of Bruno Fernandes to the No 10 role restores United's most creative axis. His deployment on the right in Madrid looked unconvincing, and moving him central should give United better control between the lines. Carlos Baleba and Kobbie Mainoo could form a youthful double pivot, provided Mainoo proves his fitness, offering energy and composure.

Up front, Bryan Mbeumo may shift wide to accommodate Matheus Cunha, who was left unused in midweek. That change would give United a more direct presence in the box, with Marcus Rashford on the opposite flank. The return of Noussair Mazraoui to training is timely, though Luke Shaw remains a doubt, meaning the back line could still be patched together.

Talking points

  • Should Carrick have left Martinez out to protect team harmony, or does picking him show stronger leadership?
  • Is Bruno Fernandes wasted on the right, and does his return to No 10 solve United's creativity issues?
  • Can a midfield of Baleba and Mainoo handle Leeds' intensity, or does Carrick need more experience?
  • With six games without a win, is this fixture now a must-win for Carrick's authority?

What happens next

United travel to Elland Road on Sunday 18 October for a 2pm BST kick-off. The result will shape the mood around Old Trafford ahead of a crucial run, and Carrick will hope his decisions over Martinez and the front four deliver the first win since the opening weeks of the season. Leeds, meanwhile, will look to exploit any lingering uncertainty.

Frequently asked questions

Is Lisandro Martinez playing for Manchester United vs Leeds?

Yes, Martinez remains available for selection and is expected to feature, according to Carrick's confirmation.

What is Manchester United's predicted line-up vs Leeds?

The predicted XI in a 4-2-3-1 is Lammens; Shaw, Heaven, Maguire, Dalot; Andrey Santos, Baleba; Rashford, Fernandes, Mbeumo; Cunha.

Who is injured for Manchester United vs Leeds?

Benjamin Sesko, Patrick Dorgu, Manuel Ugarte and Tom Heaton are all out, while Mainoo, Shaw and Mazraoui are doubts.

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