Man Utd veering towards crisis as Man City cloud hangs over Premier League

Lisandro Martinez apologises for his criticism after on-field spotlight shifts to Manchester United from City. Save Share Manchester United will travel to historic rivals Leeds for their next match as pressure mounts on manager Michael Carrick while Manchester City aim to extend their perfect Premier League start despite the uncertainty over their future. Brighton could be one of the big winners should City suffer severe sanctions for breaking the Premier League’s financial rules. The Seagulls are riding high, just two points behind second-placed Arsenal, before their grudge match on Sunday against Crystal Palace. United are off to their worst league start in 40 years and were plunged further into chaos by defender Lisandro Martinez’s attack on the club’s hierarchy over a lack of investment after Tuesday’s2-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid. The Argentiniantook aimat Technical Director Jason Wilcox after the Red Devils added only three midfielders during the transfer window. But Martinez himself has been one of those most culpable for a miserable start to the campaign for his part in goals conceded toFulhamandTottenhamin recent weeks. United have won just one of their opening six league games and were alsodumped outof the League Cup last month by Brighton. Leeds last beat the Red Devils at Elland Road in 2002 but did inflict the only home defeat of Carrick’s interim spell in charge last season when the sides met in April. Carrick is increasingly at risk of becomingthe latest managerunable to turn around a sharp decline at Old Trafford since Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013. But he said the hostile atmosphere that will await his side presents the perfect chance to bounce back. “What a great game [on] Sunday to prepare for. It’s a fantastic game for us, for the club, for the history, for the supporters,” Carrick said. “Everything to do with the game is a great game, so we’ll be ready for that.” Martinez has sinceapologised for his comments. Manchester City sit pretty at the top of the table with six wins from six league games, but that may all count for nothing if they do not successfully overturn a guilty verdict on more than 100 charges of breaking Premier League rules. Enzo Maresca’s men shut out that distraction towin 3-0 at Liverpoollast weekend and rallied impressively in the second half despitelosing 4-2 to Paris Saint-Germainin a thrilling Champions League tie on Tuesday. But the uncertainty over their future has left the entire league in limbo....