Manchester United defender Lisandro Martínez has apologised for publicly criticising the club’s hierarchy following the team’s 2-0 defeat to Atlético Madrid, saying his frustration influenced the timing and manner of his comments.
The Argentina international issued the apology on Instagram on Thursday after meeting manager Michael Carrick, technical director Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada at the club’s Carrington training ground.
The meeting addressed Martínez’s post-match remarks, with the club considering the matter closed as United turn their attention to Sunday’s Premier League fixture against Leeds United.
In his latest statement, Martínez said the meeting provided an opportunity for an open discussion about his comments.
“Everyone knows that I am a passionate person and that I live football with great intensity,” he wrote.
He acknowledged that his frustration after the defeat had prompted him to express himself at an inappropriate time and place, adding that he wanted to apologise.
The defender also recognised that his remarks had not helped the club maintain unity.
“Our club is at its best when we are all united,” Martínez said, reaffirming his commitment to the team’s ambition of delivering the success its supporters expect.
He concluded by saying the situation was behind them and that the focus had returned to winning together.
Martínez Had Demanded More Investment
The apology follows a heated post-match interview in which Martínez questioned Manchester United’s recruitment strategy and called for greater investment in the playing squad.
After the defeat to Atlético Madrid on Tuesday, the defender said the club needed to strengthen its options to compete with rivals who had recruited additional players.
He also directly criticised Wilcox, saying he expected more from the technical director.
“I expect more from our technical director. I have to be honest,” Martínez said.
The defender further argued that repeatedly changing managers would not resolve the club’s problems, suggesting that responsibility should also be examined at the executive level.
His remarks placed the spotlight on United’s recruitment decisions and the responsibilities of the club’s senior leadership.
Earlier Statement Stopped Short of an Apology
On Wednesday, Martínez released an initial statement addressing the controversy but did not apologise directly.
In that message, he attributed his remarks to anger and frustration after the defeat, while maintaining that his comments reflected his desire to see Manchester United compete for major honours.
The Thursday statement marked a change in tone. Rather than focusing on his dissatisfaction with recruitment, Martínez acknowledged the impact of his public comments and explicitly apologised for the way he had expressed himself.
The sequence of statements followed widespread attention to his criticism of Wilcox and the club’s leadership.
Focus Shifts to Leeds United
The immediate priority for Martínez and Manchester United is Sunday’s away fixture against Leeds United at Elland Road.
The club reportedly regarded the matter as closed following the meeting. Any internal disciplinary discussions, however, were to remain private between the player and the club.
Martínez’s apology appears intended to draw a line under the public disagreement and restore attention to the team’s preparations.
His original comments raised questions about recruitment and the club’s sporting direction, while his subsequent statement emphasised collective responsibility and unity.
Whether the controversy has lasting consequences for relationships within the club remains unclear. For now, Martínez has publicly apologised, met with senior figures and reiterated his commitment to Manchester United’s shared objectives.
