Martinez apologises for outburst and fined by Man Utd

Lisandro Martinez, a defender for Manchester United, has publicly apologised for his recent comments directed at the club's hierarchy.

Following United's Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid, Martinez expressed his concerns regarding the inadequacies of the squad under head coach Michael Carrick.

On Thursday, after a meeting with club officials, the Argentina international conveyed his sentiments through a social media statement.

"Today I met with the club's leadership and the manager," Martinez stated. "It was a very positive conversation, where we were able to exchange views and speak openly about what happened after Tuesday's game."

Martinez emphasized his passion for football and acknowledged 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."

It has been reported that Martinez has faced formal repercussions for his outburst in the form of a fine.

Meanwhile, Carrick is scheduled to hold a news conference on Friday ahead of the upcoming match against Leeds United on Sunday. The team currently finds itself in a challenging position, with only two wins from nine games this season, placing them 13th in the Premier League standings with six points from six games.

In his remarks after the Atletico defeat, Martinez noted the necessity for increased investment in the Manchester United squad, citing a need for "more from our technical director Jason Wilcox."

Later, he clarified that his previous comments stemmed from "anger and frustration" and reaffirmed his belief in his teammates and management.

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane commented on the situation during The Overlap podcast, describing the dynamics at the club as "a bit of a circus."

In his statement on Thursday, Martinez added, "Our club is at its best when we are all united, and I recognise that my words in that moment did not help with that. 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."

It remains uncertain if Carrick will include Martinez in the squad for the forthcoming trip to Leeds. Nonetheless, questions persist regarding the center-back's long-term position at Old Trafford.

His current contract is set to expire at the end of the season, although the club retains the option to extend it by an additional 12 months. While the matter relating to his recent comments appears to be resolved, the club has yet to make a decision regarding the activation of his contract extension option.