Lisandro Martinez has apologised for his criticism of Manchester United’s recruitment after the Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid, following a meeting with Michael Carrick and the club’s leadership team at Carrington.
After United lost to Atletico on Tuesday night, Martinez criticised Jason Wilcox, the club’s technical director and the man responsible for recruitment. He said he “expected more” investment in the squad over the summer and suggested that the decision-makers, not the players alone, share the blame for United’s poor start to the season.
Martinez was one of the last players to report to Carrington on Thursday. The club held a meeting to clear the air after training. United sources have said any internal disciplinary action will remain private, but Martinez is reportedly fined over his comments.
A public apology
Martinez has since apologised in a statement posted on Instagram. United sources say the defender made the decision to apologise themselves and that all parties have put the episode “behind them.”
In the statement, Martinez wrote: “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.”
The comments that caused the row
Martinez was visibly angry when he spoke to Amazon Prime for his post-match media duties. “I have to control myself a lot,” he said. “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.”
Asked whether United had a Champions League-quality squad, Martinez replied: “I expected more, honestly. I expected more.”
When the interviewer asked him to clarify whether he meant investment in the summer, Martinez directly criticised Wilcox. “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.”
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.”
Divided dressing room
Some players reportedly agree with Martinez’s point, while others object to the way he made it. At least one senior player is said to have confronted Martinez about the interview during the team’s return trip to Manchester.
Contract situation
Martinez is out of contract at the end of the season, but United hold the option to extend his deal by a further 12 months.