Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has apologised for his controversial remarks criticising the club's hierarchy following their Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
After the match, Martinez said the club had left head coach Michael Carrick with an under-equipped squad. In a statement released on Thursday night, the defender said, "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."
Speaking to Amazon Prime after the defeat, Martinez questioned Manchester United's recruitment strategy and called on the club's hierarchy to strengthen the squad. "I have to control myself a lot. But sometimes it's a reflection in the mirror of how is our club at the moment.”
"We did a fantastic season last season. And now we expect more from the top, from up, to bring more players to compete because many teams bring many players as well, and today also Atletico they have an amazing team and they deserved to win today,” he added. "I expect more from our technical director [ [Jason Wilcox]. I would have to be honest, as the players, we have to do more, but it's just important when you make a strong squad to be ready for this kind of night."
The 28-year-old said on Thursday that he had spoken out of “frustration” and stressed that everyone at the club was working towards the same goal.
"I know that every single person at Manchester United is doing everything possible to achieve our shared ambition: bringing the success that this club and its supporters deserve. With this situation now behind us, we are fully focused on winning together."
While the discussions appear to have addressed the immediate issue surrounding his comments, it remains to be seen whether Carrick will include Martinez in the squad for Manchester United's trip to Leeds. There is also uncertainty over the defender's long-term future at Old Trafford. His current contract expires at the end of the season, although the club have the option to extend it by a further 12 months.
Martinez pushed for a move to Atletico Madrid in the summer to join his good friend and Argentina international team-mate Cristian Romero, who left Tottenham Hotspur for Spain. However, Manchester United did not receive a suitable offer for the defender to consider, and he remained at Old Trafford.