Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has apologised for his comments after the Atletico Madrid defeat, following a meeting with Michael Carrick and the club’s leadership team at Carrington.
After United lost to Atletico in the Champions League on Tuesday night, Martinez criticised Jason Wilcox, saying he “expected more” investment in the squad over the summer. He also suggested that the blame for the poor start to the season lay with the club’s decision-makers.
Clear-the-air meeting
Martinez was one of the last players to report to Carrington on Thursday, and the club held a meeting to clear the air following training. United sources have said any internal disciplinary action will remain private, but it is thought Martinez has been fined for his comments.
Martinez then released a statement on Instagram. United sources say the decision to apologise was the defender’s own, and that all parties have put the episode “behind them”.
In the statement, Martinez said: “Today I met with the club’s leadership and the manager. It was a very positive conversation, where we were able to exchange views and speak openly about what happened after Tuesday’s game.
“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.
“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.”
Post-match remarks
Martinez was visibly angry when he spoke to Amazon Prime for his post-match media duties. He said: “I have to control myself a lot. But sometimes it’s a reflection of how our club is at the moment, you know?
“We did a fantastic season last season, and now we expect more from the top, from above, you know, to bring more players to compete, because many, many teams bring many players in as well. Today also, Atletico have an amazing team, and they deserved to win today.”
When asked whether United had a Champions League quality squad, he replied: “I expected more, honestly. I expected more.”
Pressed on whether he meant he expected more investment over the summer, Martinez directly targeted Wilcox, who is responsible for recruitment. “Yeah, 100 per cent,” he said. “I expected more from our technical director. I have to be honest, you know? And also, as players, we have to do more, but it’s also important when you make a strong squad to be ready for these kinds of nights.”
When pressed on which areas needed strengthening, he said: “In general. I think last season we did everything; we created a base to build an amazing team. But this is something to be honest and to prove something, you know?
“Yeah, it’s annoying, disappointing, to come here and not see my team trying to get an amazing result here. It’s disappointing.”
Dressing room reaction
It is understood that some players agree with Martinez’s comments, while others disagree with the manner in which he made them. It has also been claimed that at least one senior player confronted him about the interview during the team’s return trip to Manchester.
Martinez is out of contract at the end of the season, but United have the option to extend his deal by 12 months.