Lisandro Martinez Explains His Criticism of Man Utd Board but Refuses to Apologize

Lisandro Martinez has spoken out following his sharp remarks directed at Manchester United's board and sporting director Jason Wilcox after their Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid. The Argentine defender admitted his words were fueled by anger and frustration, yet he stopped short of apologizing to the club's hierarchy.

Post-Match Outburst Sparks Controversy

Manchester United faced a tough 2-0 defeat against Atletico Madrid, triggering a strong reaction from Martinez. He openly criticized the club’s leadership for not backing manager Michael Carrick during the summer transfer window. Rumors have emerged that the club may consider disciplinary action against the centre-back.

On social media, Martinez shared a 271-word statement clarifying his position. Despite attempting to calm the situation, he did not offer a direct apology to those he had criticized.

The Red Devils have had a rough start to the season, losing five of their first nine games. The tension within the squad was highlighted further when teammate Amad Diallo posted a cryptic message expressing his frustration.

Martinez Attributes Remarks to Passion and Desire to Win

"After the match, I spoke out of anger and frustration at not getting the result we all wanted," Martinez explained on Instagram. "Those who know me know how I live football, with passion, commitment and a huge desire to win. And when things don’t go our way, it hurts, especially when representing a club with the history and stature of Manchester United."

He emphasized that his comments reflect his ambition for the club to compete for major trophies. Martinez insisted that demanding more investment and ambition from the board comes from holding the club to high standards.

"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," he said.

He took responsibility as well, acknowledging that the players must deliver on the pitch.

Backing Manager Michael Carrick Amid Pressure

Though critical of the board, Martinez stood firmly behind Carrick. In his initial post-match interview, he stressed that constant managerial changes are unhelpful and praised Carrick’s efforts.

"We need to demand even more of ourselves and work together to take Manchester United back to the top," Martinez stated. "I believe in my teammates, our manager and everyone working to help this club move forward."

He reiterated his commitment to winning and representing the club with dedication.

Upcoming Challenges and Contract Uncertainty

Manchester United face a difficult Premier League trip to Leeds United this Sunday. Carrick’s squad is depleted defensively due to injuries to Luke Shaw, Patrick Dorgu, and Noussair Mazraoui. Matthijs de Ligt has just returned to the bench after a lengthy injury, so Martinez remains vital in defense despite the ongoing controversy.

Martinez's contract runs until the end of June, and while United hold an option to extend it by one year, his future at Old Trafford remains uncertain. The club is expected to activate the extension to avoid losing the £57 million World Cup winner on a free transfer next summer.

Next Matches:

• 17 Oct 2026, LaLiga: Atletico Madrid vs Leeds United (15:00)
• 18 Oct 2026, Premier League: Leeds United vs Manchester United (16:00)