Lisandro Martinez has sought to clarify his criticism of Manchester United’s hierarchy after their 2-0 Champions League defeat by Atletico Madrid, but the defender stopped short of apologising for his remarks.
The Argentina international had questioned the club’s summer recruitment and said he expected more from “upstairs”, while also singling out technical director Jason Wilcox. He issued a statement on Wednesday night, saying he had spoken “out of anger and frustration at not getting the result we all wanted”.
Martinez added that he wanted Manchester United to compete for the biggest honours and said his comments reflected the standards he believed were required at the club.
“Those who know me know how I live football, with passion, commitment and a huge desire to win,” he said. “And when things don’t go our way, it hurts, especially when representing a club with the history and stature of Manchester United.”
He accepted that the players had to take responsibility for results, saying: “I know that, first and foremost, it’s us, the players, who have to deliver, and I put myself at the front of that responsibility.”
Martinez also expressed his support for his team-mates and manager Michael Carrick, insisting that the club’s problems had to be addressed collectively.
“I believe in my team-mates, our manager and everyone working to help this club move forward,” he said. “I’m convinced that the way forward is to keep working together, with ambition and commitment.”
Lisandro Martinez’s Manchester United future in doubt
There are doubts over whether Martinez’s contract will be extended when it expires in the summer. Manchester United have a formal option to prolong his stay for a further year, but the club are expected to focus on strengthening their defence in the next transfer windows.
The club are understood to be considering new centre-backs and left-backs. United’s hierarchy has yet to decide whether Martinez will be disciplined over his comments.
His remarks have reportedly caused anger and bemusement in the boardroom and dressing room, with at least one team-mate challenging him as the squad prepared to fly back to Manchester.
Martinez had said: “I expect more from our technical director [meaning director of football, Jason Wilcox]. We expect more from the top, from upstairs, to bring in more players to compete.”
It is understood there is no internal pressure on Wilcox over his position. The suggestion that Martinez does not believe his team-mates are good enough to compete has also reportedly unsettled members of the squad.
The 28-year-old has wanted to leave Old Trafford for some time and pushed for a move to Atletico Madrid during the summer. No suitable offer arrived for United to consider.
Martinez made similarly explosive comments about his club’s hierarchy while at Ajax in 2022, when he described sporting director Gerry Hamstra as a “nobody”. Despite the latest controversy, he remains a key part of Carrick’s squad and United’s leadership is aware that the situation will need to be handled carefully.
