Bruno Fernandes revealed that Manchester United players were not allowed to speak to the media after the 1-1 draw with Leeds United on Sunday.

Lisandro Martinez sparked controversy with his post-match interview when Manchester United lost 2-0 at Atletico Madrid last week.

The defender criticised the club’s hierarchy and hit out at the recruitment over the summer, suggesting the squad was not good enough to seriously compete in the Premier League and Champions League.

It appears that his actions have had consequences for the rest of the squad and for journalists at Red Devils games.

Fernandes walked past reporters in the mixed zone after the match in Wets Yorkshire and, according to The Sun, said: ‘I can’t speak, I’m not allowed.’

The same report states that Matheus Cunha delivered the same message to a Brazilian reporter.

It is not unusual for players to avoid talking to reporters in the mixed zone, but it appears that Fernandes was making it clear that he couldn’t even if he wanted to.

Martinez was fined by the club for his critical remarks in Madrid and he issued an apology for what he said.

The Argentina international wrote on social media: ‘Today I met with the club’s leadership and the manager.

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‘It was a very positive conversation, where we were able to exchange views and speak openly about what happened after Tuesday’s game.

‘Everyone knows that I am a passionate person and that I live football with great intensity.

‘The frustration of the defeat led me to express how I felt at a time and place that perhaps were not the right ones, and for that I want to apologise.’

Manchester United’s performance at Elland Road was commendable and Carrick felt the weekend was a ‘fresh start’ after a bad start to the season saw Martinez speak out.

‘It felt like a bit of a fresh start today – where we’re at and accepting it and doing something about it,’ said the manager. ‘That didn’t surprise me today. We’re not getting too carried away because we haven’t won the game, but if you keep doing the right things for the right reasons then you get what you deserve in the end.

‘It definitely shows that the boys are desperate to do well for each other as much as anything else and how much they appreciate playing for this club, because there was a real purpose to the group over the last couple of days and they took it on the pitch.

‘There was an edge to the game, an intensity. I spoke to the boys this morning about the history and what it means to the supporters, the club, to us coming over here into the territory.’