Manchester United defender Lisandro Martínez has apologised to the club’s leadership following his public criticism of the club’s recruitment strategy, bringing a fresh development to the controversy that erupted after the team’s Champions League defeat to Atlético Madrid.
The Argentine centre-back issued the apology on Thursday after meeting Manchester United manager Michael Carrick, technical director Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada at the club’s Carrington training ground.
Martínez acknowledged that his frustration following the defeat had influenced the timing and manner of his comments, admitting that his decision to speak publicly about the club’s internal affairs was inappropriate.
In his latest statement posted on Instagram, the defender said the meeting with the club’s leadership had been positive and provided an opportunity for both sides to discuss the incident openly.
He said his passion for football and desire to see Manchester United succeed had contributed to his emotional reaction, but accepted that the circumstances surrounding his remarks were not ideal.
Martínez also recognised that his comments had not helped promote unity within the club, stressing that Manchester United needed collective commitment from everyone involved to achieve its ambitions.
He expressed confidence that the club’s officials were working towards the same objective as the players and supporters: restoring United to sustained success at the highest level.
The apology marked a change in tone from his earlier statement on Wednesday, when he acknowledged speaking out of anger and disappointment but stopped short of apologising directly.
The controversy began after Manchester United suffered a 2-0 defeat to Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. Speaking after the match, Martínez openly questioned the club’s recruitment decisions and called for greater investment in the squad.
The defender argued that United needed more quality and depth to compete with their domestic and European rivals, particularly after other clubs strengthened their squads during the summer transfer window.
He specifically expressed disappointment with the work of technical director Jason Wilcox, saying he expected the club’s leadership to do more to provide the team with the players required to compete for major honours.
Martínez also defended Carrick amid scrutiny of the manager’s position, arguing that responsibility for the club’s struggles should not fall exclusively on the coach or players.
His comments attracted attention because they challenged the club’s leadership publicly at a time when United were already facing pressure over their performances and results.
The defeat in Madrid extended United’s winless run to five matches in all competitions, intensifying questions about the team’s direction and ability to maintain the standards expected of one of England’s most prominent clubs.
In his earlier clarification, Martínez explained that his remarks reflected his ambition for United rather than a lack of commitment to his teammates or the manager. He also accepted that players had a responsibility to improve their performances and help the club return to the top.
The defender’s latest apology appears intended to ease tensions and allow the squad to concentrate on its upcoming fixtures. According to reports, the club now considers the matter closed, with Martínez available for selection for Sunday’s Premier League trip to Leeds United.
However, the episode has highlighted the sensitivity surrounding Manchester United’s recruitment strategy and the relationship between players and the club’s decision-makers.
Martínez’s criticism raised questions about whether the squad had been strengthened sufficiently to meet the demands of competing across multiple competitions. His comments also drew attention to the wider debate over how responsibility should be shared when a team struggles to deliver results.
For United, the immediate priority will be restoring confidence and improving performances on the pitch. The club will also be keen to ensure that disagreements over recruitment and ambition do not undermine the unity required to navigate a difficult period.
Martínez, meanwhile, has reaffirmed his commitment to the team and its ambitions. His apology offers an opportunity for the club to move forward, although the broader questions surrounding recruitment, squad depth and results remain important issues for United as the season progresses.
