Manchester United have fined Lisandro Martinez following his public criticism of the club’s squad after their Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid, with the matter now considered closed following discussions with the club’s leadership.
The Argentina international attracted attention after suggesting that Manchester United had left head coach Michael Carrick with an under-equipped squad following Tuesday’s defeat. His comments reportedly prompted discussions with senior figures at Old Trafford, with the defender subsequently meeting Carrick and the club’s directors to explain his remarks and apologise.
Following Thursday’s meeting, Martinez released a statement on social media acknowledging that his frustration had influenced the way he expressed his views after the disappointing result.
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 Tuesday’s 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.
Despite the apology, Martinez has reportedly been formally punished with a fine for his outburst. United are understood to regard the disciplinary matter as resolved, allowing the defender and the club to focus on their upcoming fixtures.
The incident comes during a difficult period for Carrick, whose side have struggled to establish consistency at the beginning of the campaign. United have managed just two victories from their opening nine games across competitions and sit 13th in the Premier League, with six points from six league matches.
The defeat to Atletico Madrid has added to the scrutiny surrounding the team’s performances and the quality of the squad available to the manager. Martinez’s comments brought those concerns into the public domain, creating an uncomfortable situation for the club during an already challenging run.
However, the defender’s decision to meet the leadership team and issue an apology appears to have brought the immediate dispute to an end. His statement acknowledged that, although he felt strongly about the situation, the timing and setting of his comments were inappropriate.
Carrick is scheduled to face the media on Friday ahead of Manchester United’s Premier League trip to Leeds United on Sunday, with kick-off set for 14:00 BST.
The manager will be hoping his players can put the controversy behind them and produce a stronger performance at Elland Road. With pressure mounting over United’s results, the focus will now return to the pitch as Carrick attempts to improve the club’s position and restore confidence within the squad.