Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has apologised for criticising the club’s leadership after their Champions League defeat by Atletico Madrid. The Argentina international made the apology on Thursday, following a meeting with manager Michael Carrick and senior officials.
Martinez met Carrick and club executives after training. Two days earlier, he had said United needed greater investment to help the team compete at the highest level, a comment made after Tuesday’s 2-0 loss.
Martinez admits his criticism came at the wrong time
In an Instagram post, his second statement since the interview, Martinez described the talks in positive terms. “Today I met with the club’s leadership and the manager,” he said, adding that the conversation had allowed both sides to speak openly about what happened after the game.
He acknowledged that his disappointment at the defeat had overwhelmed him. “Everyone knows that I am a passionate person and that I live football with great intensity,” he said, before adding that he regretted choosing the wrong moment and place to voice his feelings.
Club source says the matter is closed
A club source said any internal disciplinary action would remain private. The source added that Martinez had chosen to apologise publicly and that all parties now regarded the matter as settled.
In his post-match interview, Martinez had singled out director of football Jason Wilcox. He said United needed more signings to rival their competitors and to build a squad capable of challenging in Europe. He later said those remarks did not reflect the unity needed at Old Trafford, while insisting that everyone at the club was pursuing the same goal.
United face Leeds with a difficult league record
United sit 13th in the Premier League after six games, their worst start in 40 years. Martinez closed his statement by saying the episode was over. “With this situation now behind us, we are fully focused on winning together,” he said.
The club next travels to seventh-placed Leeds United on Sunday.
