Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has issued a public apology after criticising the club’s management following its Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid. The Argentina international admitted that his frustration had influenced his comments and insisted that the matter was now resolved.
Martinez faced scrutiny after questioning United’s transfer activity and calling for greater investment following Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat against Atletico Madrid. His remarks, which included criticism directed at director of football Jason Wilcox, raised concerns about tensions within the club.
However, the defender moved to ease the situation on Thursday after meeting manager Michael Carrick and senior club officials following training.
“Today I met with the club’s leadership and the manager,” Martinez wrote on Instagram.
“It was a very positive conversation where we were able to exchange views and speak openly about what happened after Tuesday’s game.”
The 28-year-old acknowledged that emotions had taken over after the disappointing European result. While standing by his passion for the club, he admitted that publicly expressing his concerns immediately after the match had been inappropriate.
“Everyone knows that I am a passionate person and that I live football with great intensity,” he said.
“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.”
Martinez had previously suggested that United needed additional signings to strengthen its squad and compete with Europe’s leading clubs.
His latest statement, however, focused on restoring unity within the team and supporting the club’s leadership.
“Our club is at its best when we are all united, and I recognise that my words in that moment did not come up with that,” Martinez said.
“I know that every single person at Manchester United is doing everything possible to achieve our shared ambition, bringing the success that this club and its supporters deserve.”
According to a club source, Martinez independently decided to make his apology public. Any potential internal disciplinary measures will remain confidential, with both sides considering the issue settled.
“With this situation now behind us, we are fully focused on winning together,” Martinez added.
The controversy comes during a difficult period for Manchester United, which sits 13th in the Premier League after six matches, marking its worst start to a league campaign in 40 years.
Carrick’s side will now look to shift attention back to results when it travels to face seventh-placed Leeds United on Sunday, hoping to revive its domestic campaign after another disappointing European outing.
