Lisandro Martinez: Man Utd defender apologises for outburst and holds talks with Jason Wilcox and Michael Carrick
Man Utd defender Lisandro Martinez called out the club's hierarchy after their Champions League loss at Atletico Madrid; Martinez said he had expected more from "upstairs", singling out technical director Jason Wilcox
Thursday 15 October 2026 20:19, UK
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has issued an apology for his outburst after Tuesday's Champions League loss at Atletico Madrid.
Martinez launched an extraordinary attack on the club's hierarchy after the 2-0 defeat in Spain, as he criticised the lack of summer investment in the squad and said he expected more from "upstairs" after he singled out technical director Jason Wilcox.
Sky Sports News understands Martinez met the club's hierarchy, including Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrada, on Thursday. Head coach Michael Carrick was also present at the meeting.
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In a statement released on Thursday night, the defender said: "Today 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.
"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."
Sky Sports News understands it was Martinez's decision to publicly apologise and any disciplinary decisions or internal conversations will be kept private between him and the club.
The club now consider the matter closed as they prepare for Leeds on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
On Wednesday, Martinez issued a statement to clarify his outburst, but did not apologise.
'No internal pressure on Wilcox'
Sky Sports News' Football Correspondent Rob Dorsett:
Manchester United will focus on revamping their defence in the next transfer windows and have the formal option to prolong Martinez's stay for a further year.
Sky Sports News has been told United are looking at new centre-backs, as well as left-backs.
It is also understood that there is no pressure on Wilcox internally regarding his position.
Martinez has been keen on a move away from Old Trafford for some time.
In the summer, he pushed for a move to Atletico Madrid, the side that beat United in the Champions League on Tuesday night, to follow his good friend and international team-mate, Cristian Romero, who left Spurs for Spain.
No suitable bid for Martinez came in for Manchester United to consider.
The 28-year-old made similar explosive comments about his bosses when at Ajax in 2022. Martinez, who again wanted a move away, called their sporting director Gerry Hamstra a "nobody".
