Man United players barred from media interviews after Leeds draw

Manchester United players were reportedly prevented from speaking to reporters after their 1-1 draw with Leeds United, days after Lisandro Martinez publicly criticised the club’s hierarchy.

Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha both indicated they were not permitted to speak as they passed through the mixed zone at Elland Road following Monday’s Premier League encounter.

Fernandes told reporters, “I can’t speak, I’m not allowed,” while Cunha also took time to explain the situation to a Brazilian journalist.

The unusual silence came amid heightened scrutiny of United after Martinez was fined for his outspoken comments following the club’s 2-0 Champions League defeat by Atletico Madrid.

Martinez controversy casts shadow

Martinez had called for more from director of football Jason Wilcox, adding to the pressure surrounding the club’s leadership during a difficult run of results.

However, there was reportedly no specific instruction from United’s press officers ordering players to avoid the written media. Players generally do not stop for mixed-zone interviews unless accompanied by a club press officer.

Following the draw at Leeds, Harry Maguire was the only United player to speak to broadcast rights holders. He also gave an interview to the club’s in-house channel, MUTV.

Goalkeeper Senne Lammens had previously spoken to reporters without a staff member present after United’s 1-1 draw with West Ham United in February.

Martinez’s own afternoon ended early after he was forced off at half-time with a thigh problem.

Carrick under pressure as winless run continues

The draw extended United’s winless run in all competitions to six matches, with Leeds becoming the third team to take points after falling behind against Michael Carrick’s side.

United sit 13th in the Premier League, having recorded just one win in their opening seven league matches. Bournemouth are next to visit Old Trafford on Sunday.

Carrick said he was proud of his players’ application despite the difficult circumstances at Elland Road.

“It was a tense game, it was a tight game and one that could have gone both ways, so we will take the point and move on,” he told the BBC.