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Manchester United defender Lisandro Martínez has apologised for his public criticism of the club’s hierarchy following a meeting with manager Michael Carrick and senior officials.
The Argentina international issued the apology in a statement posted on Instagram on Thursday after meeting Carrick, technical director Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada at the club’s Carrington training ground.
The meeting followed Martínez’s outburst after Manchester United’s 2-0 Champions League defeat to Atlético Madrid on Tuesday, when he questioned the club’s recruitment strategy and called for greater investment in the squad.
In his latest statement, the defender acknowledged that his frustration over the defeat had influenced his comments and admitted that he had expressed his views at an inappropriate time and place.
“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 the game,” Martínez said.
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.”
Calls for unity at Old Trafford
Martínez stressed that unity within the club was essential to achieving their ambitions, admitting that his earlier remarks had not helped the situation.
“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,” he said.
The defender also expressed confidence in the commitment of the club’s staff and players to restoring Manchester United’s success.
“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,” he added.
He concluded by saying that the matter was now behind him and that the team would focus on winning together.
According to reports, the club considers the matter resolved, with Martínez available for selection ahead of Sunday’s Premier League trip to Leeds United.
Defender had criticised recruitment strategy
The apology followed Martínez’s strong criticism of Manchester United’s recruitment after the defeat to Atlético Madrid.
Speaking to Amazon Prime after the match, the centre-back said the team’s performance had been poor and argued that the club needed to strengthen its squad to compete with other leading sides.
“We had a fantastic season last season, and now we expect more from the top, from upstairs, to bring in more players to compete because many teams have brought in many players as well,” he said.
“I expect more investment. 100 per cent. I expect more from our technical director. I have to be honest,” Martínez added.
He also defended Carrick, arguing that repeatedly changing managers would not resolve the club’s wider problems.
“You can’t keep changing, changing, changing the manager. What about other areas?” he said, while pointing upwards to emphasise the responsibility of the club’s leadership.
On Wednesday, Martínez had issued an earlier statement acknowledging that he spoke out of anger and frustration but maintained that his comments were driven by his desire to see Manchester United competing for major honours.
His latest apology marks a shift in tone, with the defender emphasising unity as the club prepares for its next Premier League fixture.
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