Lisandro Martinez has said he “spoke out of anger and frustration” when he launched a scathing attack on Manchester United’s hierarchy, insisting his words came from a desire to see the club competing for major honours again.
The Argentina international criticised United for failing to strengthen the squad in the summer, having qualified for the Champions League. He made the remarks after United’s 2-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League group phase on Tuesday, saying he had expected more investment in the squad and “more from our technical director [Jason Wilcox]”.
In a social media post, Martinez stopped short of an apology, but set out the intent behind his comments. “After the match, I spoke out of anger and frustration at not getting the result we all wanted,” he wrote. “Those who know me know how I live football, with passion, commitment and a huge desire to win. And when things don’t go our way, it hurts, especially when representing a club with the history and stature of Manchester United.”
He added that his words reflected how he feels and how much he wants to see the club challenging at the top. “When I talk about wanting more, I’m talking about the ambition we must all have as part of this club,” he said. “To keep growing, to become stronger and to have everything we need to compete at the highest level. These are standards we must all hold ourselves to, starting with me.”
Martinez also stressed that responsibility lies with the playing group first. “I know that, first and foremost, it’s us, the players, who have to deliver, and I put myself at the front of that responsibility,” he wrote. “We need to demand even more of ourselves and work together to take Manchester United back to the top.”
He went on to express belief in those around him: “I believe in my team-mates, our manager [Michael Carrick] and everyone working to help this club move forward. I’m convinced that the way forward is to keep working together, with ambition and commitment. My goal has been the same since day one, to win, compete at the highest level and to give everything I have for this badge.”
The comments land during a difficult run for United, who have not won in five games since beating Sabah in the Champions League on 10 September. They have won just two of their nine games this season and sit 13th in the Premier League with six points from as many matches.
Martinez, who joined United from Ajax in 2022, is into the final year of his contract, which expires at the end of the season, with the club holding an option to extend it by another year. United’s next fixture is away at Leeds United in the Premier League on Sunday, 18 October.