Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has clarified his comments following Tuesday’s Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid – but continued to apologise.
Martinez launched an extraordinary attack on the club’s hierarchy after the 2-0 defeat in Madrid as he criticized the lack of summer investment in the squad, said he expected more “from the top” and singled out manager Jason Wilcox.
But less than 24 hours after his stunning post-match interview, the Argentina international released a statement on Instagram on Wednesday evening to clarify his comments.
He said: “After all that was said about my comments yesterday, I want to share some thoughts about what I said and how I feel.
“After the game, I talked about the anger and disappointment that we didn’t get the result we all wanted.
“Those who know me know how I live football with passion, commitment and a great desire to win. And when things don’t go our way, it hurts, especially when you represent a club with the history and greatness of Manchester United.
“My words reflect how I feel and how I want to see this club compete for the biggest prizes. These high standards are part of my vision of football and the responsibility that comes with wearing this shirt.
“When I talk about wanting more, I’m talking about the ambition that we all have as part of this club. To keep growing, to be stronger and to have everything we need to compete at the highest level. Those are the standards we all have to hold ourselves to, starting with me.
“I know that first and foremost we, the players, have to deliver and I put myself in front of that responsibility. We have to demand more from ourselves and work together to get Manchester United back to the top.
“I have faith in my team-mates, our manager and everyone who is working to help this club progress. I am confident that the way forward is to continue to work together with ambition and commitment.
“My goal has been the same since day one, to win, to compete at the highest level and to give my all for this mark.”
Martinez’s future at Man Utd is in doubt
Football reporter for Sky Sports News Rob Dorsett:
There are real doubts as to whether Martinez’s contract will be extended after it expires in the summer.
United will focus on revamping their defense in the next transfer windows and have an official option to extend Martinez’s stay by another year.
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Jamie O’Hara slammed Martinez after the defender’s comments aimed at the Manchester United hierarchy.
Sky Sports News United are reportedly looking for new centre-backs as well as left-backs.
United bosses are yet to decide whether to discipline Martinez for his comments: “I expect more from our manager. [meaning director of football, Jason Wilcox]. We expect more from the top, from the top, to attract more players to the competition.”
Sky Sports News There was reportedly anger and confusion at what Martinez said in both the United boardroom and dressing room as the team boarded the plane back to Manchester.
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Soccer Special pundits react to Lisandro Martinez’s comments aimed at Manchester United’s hierarchy following their Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid.
It is also understood that there is no internal pressure on Wilcox for his position.
The fact that Martinez didn’t think his teammates were good enough to compete didn’t go over well with the other players.
Martinez has wanted to leave Old Trafford for some time.
In the summer, he pushed for a move to Atletico Madrid, the side who beat United in the Champions League on Tuesday night, to follow his good friend and international team-mate. Cristian Romero from Spurs to Spain.
Manchester United did not have a suitable offer for Martinez.
The 28-year-old made similar explosive comments about his bosses while at Ajax in 2022. Again wanting to leave, Martinez called their sporting director Gerry Hamstra a “nobody”.
Martinez remains a key part of Michael Carrick’s squad and United’s bosses know they need to manage the situation carefully.