Manchester United have fined Lisandro Martinez and the defender has publicly apologised, two days after he used a post-match television interview in Madrid to accuse the club’s hierarchy of failing to build a squad capable of competing in the Champions League.
Martinez released a statement on Thursday after meeting manager Michael Carrick and senior executives at Carrington, describing it as “a very positive conversation” and conceding that “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”. United declined to disclose the size of the financial penalty, with a club source saying disciplinary matters would remain private.
Fifty seconds, a red card and an interview that went further
The outburst followed United’s 2-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, 13 October, in the second round of Champions League league-phase matches. Pablo Barrios scored inside the opening minute at the Metropolitano, Bruno Fernandes struck the crossbar as United chased an equaliser, and Leny Yoro’s dismissal left Carrick’s side a man short before Ademola Lookman finished from close range on 79 minutes. Atletico registered 1.42 expected goals to United’s 0.98 from 11 attempts.
Speaking to Amazon Prime afterwards, Martinez chose not to confine his assessment to the pitch. “Really poor. Really poor,” he said. “I have to control myself a lot, but sometimes it is a reflection of 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, more players to compete because many teams bring many players as well.”
He then named the executive responsible for recruitment. “I expect more [investment]. 100%. I expect more from our technical director [Jason Wilcox],” Martinez said, before adding: “You can’t keep changing, changing, changing the manager. What about other areas? Tonight it is easy to say the coach, easy to say the players but also we have to see other areas.”
United spent roughly £150m in the summer — Carlos Baleba from Brighton for about £70m including add-ons, plus Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Karl Darlow — a figure comfortably below several of their domestic rivals. Carrick, asked about the comments in his own media duties, said simply: “I haven’t seen it. As a group, I don’t doubt the togetherness or their wanting to win.”
Two statements, and only one apology
Thursday’s climbdown was the second time Martinez had addressed the matter. On Wednesday night he posted a clarification on Instagram that pointedly stopped short of saying sorry: “After the match, I spoke out of anger and frustration at not getting the result we all wanted. When I talk about wanting more, I’m talking about the ambition we must all have as part of this club. I know that, first and foremost, it’s us, the players, who have to deliver, and I put myself at the front of that responsibility.”
That did not settle it. Jamie Carragher called the remarks “awful”, Wayne Rooney described them as “disrespectful”, and Martinez was reported to have been challenged by a team-mate on the flight home. With unrest in both the boardroom and the dressing room, Carrick called the 28-year-old in on Thursday. Only then did the word “apologise” appear.
A contract decision, and Leeds on Sunday
The timing is awkward for a player whose future is unresolved. Martinez’s contract expires at the end of the season and United hold an option to extend it by 12 months — a decision still to be taken, and one now framed by a public attack on the man who shapes the squad.
The wider context explains the temperature:
- 13th in the Premier League with six points from six games, a return widely described as United’s worst start in 40 years
- One win in seven matches in all competitions, and five without a victory
- Nine scored, nine conceded in the league
- One win and one defeat from the first two Champions League league-phase fixtures, following a 4-0 home win over Sabah
Carrick, appointed permanent head coach on a two-year deal before the season after steering United to third last term, is left managing a dressing room that has questioned the structure above it. Wilcox, meanwhile, has been publicly identified as the problem by one of the club’s senior players — an accusation that does not disappear with a fine.
Martinez, who has six appearances and one goal this season, is available for selection at Leeds United on Sunday. United consider the matter closed. “With this situation now behind us,” his statement concluded, “we are fully focused on winning together.” A result at Elland Road would do more to close it than any statement.
Sources: [ESPN](https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/50188017/lisandro-martinez-man-united-comments-interview-michael-carrick-meeting), [ESPN (original comments)](https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/50177021/lisandro-martinez-slams-man-united-hierarchys-decisions-not-champions-league-quality-squad), [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/10/15/martinez-apologises-for-man-united-outburst-after-carrick-talks), [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/13599417/lisandro-martinez-man-utd-defender-releases-statement-to-clarify-outburst-but-does-not-apologise), [Yahoo/BBC](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/martinez-apologises-outburst-fined-man-182725681.html), [ESPN match report](https://www.espn.com/soccer/report/_/gameId/401915412), [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026%E2%80%9327_Manchester_United_F.C._season)
Sports journalist and editor at SportsPortal.net. Covers cricket, football, Formula 1, tennis, and basketball with a focus on how global sports connect with Pakistani audiences. Follows the PSL, Pakistan national cricket team, Premier League, and major international tournaments. Has reported on sports for digital audiences since 2021.
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