Man United’s Martinez apologises for outburst after talks with Carrick
Lisandro Martinez meets Manchester United manager Michael Carrick before apologising for his criticism of the club.
Key points
- Lisandro Martinez apologised after criticising Manchester United's hierarchy following a 2-0 Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid.
- He held talks with manager Michael Carrick and senior club officials before making the apology public.
- British media reported United fined Martinez, while the club said any disciplinary action would stay private.
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez apologised on Thursday for criticising the club's hierarchy after their Champions League defeat by Atletico Madrid. The apology came after he held talks with manager Michael Carrick and senior club officials.
Martinez met Carrick and club executives after training, two days after saying United needed greater investment to compete at the highest level following Tuesday's 2-0 loss.
What Martinez said
In an Instagram post, Martinez said he had a positive conversation with the club's leadership and the manager, where views were exchanged openly about what happened after Tuesday's game. He acknowledged that frustration from the defeat got the better of him and apologised for choosing the wrong moment to air his feelings.
Martinez said he is a passionate person who lives football with great intensity. He added that the frustration of the defeat led him to express how he felt at a time and place that perhaps were not the right ones. He also said his comments had not reflected the unity required at Old Trafford and stressed his belief that everyone at the club is working towards the same goal.
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.
— Lisandro Martinez
Club response and next match
A club source said any internal disciplinary action would remain private, adding that it had been Martinez's decision to apologise publicly and that all parties considered the matter closed. British media, including the BBC, reported that United fined the defender over the outburst.
United are 13th in the Premier League after six games in their worst start in 40 years. They travel to seventh-placed Leeds United on Sunday.
