Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has apologised after his criticism of the club’s hierarchy and has been fined for his outburst. The Argentina centre-back spoke out following United’s Champions League defeat by Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, saying the club had left head coach Michael Carrick with an under-equipped squad.
After talks with United on Thursday, Martinez released a statement on social media. “Today I met with the club’s leadership and the manager,” he said. “It was a very positive conversation, where we were able to exchange views and speak openly about what happened after Tuesday’s game.”
He added: “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.”
It is understood that Martinez has been formally punished for his outburst with a fine.
Martinez’s initial comments included a call for more investment in the Manchester United squad and “more from our technical director [Jason Wilcox]”. He later said he “spoke out of anger and frustration” and that he had “belief in my team-mates, our manager and everyone working to help this club move forward”.
In his Thursday statement, Martinez added: “Our club is at its best when we are all united, and I recognise that my words in that moment did not help with that. 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. With this situation now behind us, we are fully focused on winning together.”
Carrick will hold a news conference on Friday before United’s game against Leeds United at Elland Road on Sunday (14:00 BST). United go into the match with just two wins from nine games this season and are 13th in the Premier League with six points from six games. It remains to be seen whether Carrick selects Martinez for the trip to Leeds.
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane, speaking on The Overlap podcast, described the situation at his former club as “a bit of a circus”.
There is understood to be significant doubt over Martinez’s long-term future at Old Trafford. His current deal expires at the end of the season, although the club have the option of extending it by 12 months. While the issue over his recent comments is now considered closed, United are still to decide whether they want to trigger the contract option.