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Lisandro Martinez has been criticised for his own part in United’s sluggish start to the season.
Lisandro Martinez issued a fresh statement following a meeting with the club officials. (Reuters Photo)
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has apologised for questioning the club’s transfer policy after their 2-0 Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid in Spain on Tuesday, bringing fresh scrutiny to a club already enduring its worst start to a Premier League campaign in four decades.
The Argentina international had publicly challenged technical director Jason Wilcox over United’s recruitment, insisting he had “100 percent” expected greater investment in the squad during the summer window. United had secured a third-place Premier League finish last season to return to European football’s top competition, but their spending of approximately £150 million ($198 million) on midfielders Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos remained considerably below that of several domestic rivals.
Martinez initially addressed the controversy on social media on Thursday, attributing his remarks to speaking “out of anger and frustration at not getting the result we all wanted”. However, his first response did not include an apology.
The defender subsequently held discussions with United’s leadership and manager Michael Carrick, who is facing mounting pressure following the team’s disappointing results. Martinez had come under fire for adding to the scrutiny surrounding Carrick at a difficult stage of the season.
Following the meeting, Martinez released a second statement in which he accepted responsibility for the timing and manner of his earlier comments.
“Today (Thursday) 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.”
His criticism of the club’s transfer strategy had found support among sections of the fanbase, although the 28-year-old has also faced questions over his own performances during United’s troubled opening to the campaign.
Martinez scored an own goal in a 1-1 draw against bottom-placed Fulham last month. He also struggled physically against Dominic Solanke last weekend, when Tottenham rescued a point at Old Trafford despite having only 10 players.
Clarifying the broader point behind his earlier remarks, Martinez stressed that his demand for greater investment reflected the standards he believed everyone at United should uphold.
“When I talk about wanting more, I’m talking about the ambition we must all have as part of this club. To keep growing, to become stronger and to have everything we need to compete at the highest level,” said Martinez.
He also reiterated his backing for the squad and coaching staff, while acknowledging his own responsibility in helping the club improve.
“These are standards we must all hold ourselves to, starting with me. I believe in my team-mates, our manager and everyone working to help this club move forward. I’m convinced that the way forward is to keep working together, with ambition and commitment,” he added.
Carrick, appointed United’s permanent manager only a few months ago, now faces another crucial stretch of fixtures as pressure continues to build. His side visit fierce rivals Leeds on Sunday before travelling to Italy to face Como in the Champions League on Wednesday.
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Ask News18Lisandro Martinez apologised for questioning the club’s transfer policy and publicly challenging technical director Jason Wilcox following a 2-0 Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid.
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Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience …Read More
October 16, 2026, 07:29 IST
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