Lisandro Martinez apologises for post-match outburst after meeting Man Utd leadership

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has apologised for his post-match comments following the club’s 2-0 Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid, saying his frustration got the better of him and acknowledging that his remarks may not have been appropriate.

Martinez, who had publicly called on United’s hierarchy to invest more in the squad after Tuesday’s defeat, revealed that he had held a positive meeting with the club’s leadership and manager to discuss the situation.

“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,” Martinez wrote in a statement shared on social media.

“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,” he added.

The Argentina international also stressed the importance of unity at Old Trafford, admitting that his reaction had not helped the club at a difficult moment.

“Our club is at its best when we are all united, and I recognise that my words at that moment did not help with that,” Martinez said.

The apology comes after Martinez openly questioned United’s recruitment strategy following their defeat in Madrid. Speaking after the match, the defender had said he expected more from director of football Jason Wilcox and called for further investment to help the club compete with Europe’s leading sides.

“I expect more from our technical director. I have to be honest. And also, as players, we have to do more,” Martinez had said.

United had made a disastrous start to the contest at the Metropolitano, conceding to Pablo Barrios inside the opening minute. Ademola Lookman then struck in the 79th minute to seal Atletico’s victory, with the visitors also having to deal with Leny Yoro’s dismissal.

The defeat extended Michael Carrick’s side’s winless run to five matches in all competitions and left them with three points in the Champions League league phase. United had started their European campaign with a 4-0 win over Sabah FK but have since struggled to find consistency.

Martinez had argued that United needed greater support from the club’s leadership to build a squad capable of competing at the highest level, pointing to the recruitment activity of rival teams.

“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.

In his latest message, however, Martinez sought to draw a line under the controversy and refocus attention on the team’s collective objectives.

“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 wrote.

“With this situation now behind us, we are fully focused on winning together.”

United, who sit 13th in the Premier League, will look to respond when they visit Leeds United on Sunday before travelling to Como for their next Champions League fixture on October 21. With pressure mounting after a difficult run of results, Martinez’s apology offers a public attempt to restore unity as the club looks to get its season back on track.

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