Lisandro Martinez apologizes for post-match outburst after meeting Man Utd management

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has apologized 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 admitting his remarks may not have been appropriate.

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

“Today I met with the club’s management and the manager. It was a very positive conversation where we were able to exchange views and talk 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 may not have been the right one, and for that I want to apologize,” he added.

The Argentina international also stressed the importance of unity at Old Trafford and admitted his reaction did not help the club at a difficult time.

“Our club is at its best when we’re all united, and I admit my words didn’t help at that point,” Martinez said. Statement by Lisandro Martinez. (Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@lisandromartinez)

The apology comes after Martinez openly questioned United’s recruitment strategy following their defeat in Madrid. The defender said after the game that he expected more from director of football Jason Wilcox and called for more investment to help the club compete with Europe’s top teams.

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

United had a disastrous start to the game at the Metropolitano, conceding to Pablo Barrios in the opening minute. In the 79th minute, Ademola Lookman struck and sealed Atlético’s victory, the visitors also had to deal with Leny Yor’s dismissal.

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

Martinez argued that United needed more support from the club’s management 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 the top, to bring more players into the competition because many teams have also brought many players,” he said.

In his latest report, however, Martinez sought to draw a line behind the controversy and refocus attention on the team’s collective goals.

“I know that every individual at Manchester United is doing everything they can to achieve our shared ambition: to deliver 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 are 13th in the Premier League, will look to respond when they visit Leeds United on Sunday before traveling to Como for their next Champions League game 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 tries to get its season back on track.

– The end