Manchester United and Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez issued a public apology on Thursday after criticising the club’s leadership following a 2–0 Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid.
The Argentina international met with manager Michael Carrick and senior executives after training to address statements he made questioning the club's investment strategy. Following the loss Martinez had singled out Director of Football Jason Wilcox also stating United needed more signings to compete at the highest level.
In an Instagram post Martinez acknowledged that frustration got the better of him. "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 wrote. He added that the club is at its best when united and stressed that everyone at Old Trafford is working toward the same goal.
British media reported that United fined the defender over the incident. However, a club source stated that internal disciplinary measures remain private, noting it was Martinez’s own decision to apologise publicly and that all parties consider the matter closed.
The controversy comes during a difficult stretch for Manchester United who sit 13th in the Premier League after six games marking their worst league start in 40 years. United travel to face seventh-placed Leeds United on Sunday as they seek to rebuild momentum.
