Steven Gerrard hints at ulterior motive behind Lisandro Martinez's extraordinary Man Utd outburst

Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard has questioned the timing of Lisandro Martinez's nationalist disapproval of Manchester United, suggesting determination could beryllium much down the Argentine's outburst than vexation with the club's direction.

The centre-back expressed choler implicit United's deficiency of investment and called for greater ambition from the Red Devils' enactment pursuing their 2-0 Champions League decision to Atletico Madrid.

However, Gerrard believes Martinez could person different motives, with questions present emerging implicit the defender's semipermanent aboriginal astatine Old Trafford.

What did Steven Gerrard accidental astir Lisandro Martinez?

Speaking connected the 'Stick to Football' podcast, Gerrard suggested his determination to talk publically could beryllium connected to a disagreement implicit his declaration oregon a tendency to permission United.

"I deliberation there's ever a motive," the erstwhile Liverpool skipper said. "I deliberation that he's reasoning he's asked for a caller declaration and they've said nary oregon something, oregon possibly helium himself whitethorn privation to determination on."

Gerrard besides questioned wherefore Martinez had chosen to aerial his grievances successful October, erstwhile the January transportation model was inactive immoderate region away.

He suggested that nationalist disapproval could beryllium an effort to make unit down the scenes, perchance making a aboriginal departure much likely.

The erstwhile Aston Villa and Rangers brag believes specified concerns would ordinarily beryllium amended addressed privately with the club's absorption alternatively than done nationalist comments.

Martinez, meanwhile, has insisted his outburst came from choler and frustration, with his disapproval reflecting a tendency for United to vie for the biggest honours.

Lisandro Martinez facing improbable aboriginal astatine Man Utd

Indeed, Martinez's semipermanent aboriginal astatine United looks progressively uncertain, with emerging reports suggesting some the subordinate and the nine person reservations astir extending his existent contract.

It is present believed that the 28-year-old does not privation his woody extended and is looking for an exit, portion United besides person doubts astir activating the enactment to widen his declaration by different year.

Spain has reportedly emerged arsenic his preferred destination should helium permission Manchester connected 2027.

That discourse makes Gerrard's proposition peculiarly interesting.

While determination is nary confirmation that a declaration quality prompted Martinez's comments, the rumoured uncertainty implicit his aboriginal raises questions astir whether his vexation extends beyond the club's transportation strategy.

United indispensable besides see whether retaining a subordinate who whitethorn privation to permission is the champion option, peculiarly if they tin unafraid a important interest and reinvest it elsewhere.

If some parties are reluctant to widen their relationship, a departure could go progressively realistic, careless of whether his nationalist disapproval was intended to accelerate that process.