Lisandro Martinez: Man Utd defender releases statement to clarify outburst but does not apologise
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
Wednesday 14 October 2026 23:53, UK
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has clarified his outburst after Tuesday's Champions League loss at Atletico Madrid in a statement - but stopped short of an apology.
Martinez launched an extraordinary attack on the club's hierarchy after the 2-0 defeat in Madrid, as he criticised the lack of summer investment in the squad, said he expected more from "upstairs" and singled out technical director Jason Wilcox.
But 24 hours on from his astonishing post-match interview, the Argentina international released a statement on Instagram on Wednesday night to clear up his comments.
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He said: "Following everything that has been said about my comments yesterday, I want to share some thoughts on what I said and how I feel.
"After the match, I spoke out of anger and frustration at not getting the result we all wanted.
"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.
"My words reflect how I feel and how much I want to see this club competing for the biggest honours. Those high standards are part of how I see football and the responsibility that comes with wearing this shirt.
"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. These are standards we must all hold ourselves to, starting with me.
"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. We need to demand even more of ourselves and work together to take Manchester United back to the top.
"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.
"My goal has been the same since day one, to win, to compete at the highest level and to give everything I have for this badge."
Martinez's future at Man Utd in doubt
Sky Sports News' Football Correspondent Rob Dorsett:
There are real doubts about whether Martinez's contract will be extended when it expires in the summer.
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 also been told United are looking at new centre-backs, as well as left-backs.
United's bosses have yet to decide whether to discipline Martinez for his comments, when he said: "I expect more from our technical director [meaning director of football, Jason Wilcox]. We expect more from the top, from upstairs, to bring in more players to compete."
Sky Sports News has been told there is anger and bemusement at what Martinez said, both in the United boardroom and in the changing room, with at least one other player challenging him over his comments as the squad got on board the plane to fly back to Manchester.
It is also understood that there is no pressure on Wilcox internally regarding his position.
The implication that Martinez doesn't think his team-mates are good enough to compete has not gone down well with other players.
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".
Martinez remains a key part of Michael Carrick's squad and United's bosses know they have to handle this situation carefully.
