Manchester United defender Lisandro Martínez has apologised for his post-match outburst against the club’s hierarchy, releasing a new statement on his Instagram on Thursday after meeting manager Michael Carrick and senior directors.
The Argentina international met with Carrick, technical director Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada following training at Carrington. Club sources indicated the matter is now considered closed, with Martínez available for selection for Sunday’s Premier League match away at Leeds United.
In a statement posted on Instagram, Martínez said:
“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.
“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 apology comes two days after Martínez launched a blistering public criticism of United’s recruitment following the 2-0 Champions League defeat at Atlético Madrid on Tuesday. Speaking to Amazon Prime, the centre-back said the performance was “really poor” and reflected the state of the club.
“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.”
He also defended Carrick, stating: “You can’t keep changing, changing, changing the manager. What about other areas?” while pointing upwards to emphasise the board’s responsibility.
On Wednesday night Martínez had issued an earlier Instagram statement in which he acknowledged speaking “out of anger and frustration” but stopped short of an apology, insisting his comments reflected his desire to see the club “competing for the biggest honours.”
The latest statement marks a clear shift in tone, focusing on unity and drawing a line under the controversy as United prepare for the trip to Elland Road.