Martinez Says Sorry as United Draw a Line Under Row

• Martinez issues a voluntary apology after talks with club chiefs and Michael Carrick
• United deem the matter closed; his deal runs out next summer
• Rooney and Keane weigh in as Leeds test looms on Sunday

Lisandro Martinez has held his hands up and said sorry to Manchester United after a turbulent few days. The defender has apologised for blasting sporting director Jason Wilcox and calling for more investment in the wake of Tuesday’s 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid — a rant that only added fuel to an already shaky start.

Following clear-the-air talks with the club’s leadership and manager Michael Carrick, Martinez posted that it was an open, constructive chat, and admitted he’d chosen the wrong moment to vent. Crucially, the apology was his decision, not an instruction from above. United consider it handled, with no word on whether a fine followed.

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What Sparked the Apology

Emotions spilled over after the Atletico defeat. In a series of interviews, Martinez suggested he expected more from Wilcox and greater backing, while hinting United’s squad wasn’t at the level of other contenders. After meeting the hierarchy and Carrick, he struck a different tone: passionate, yes, but he accepted the time and place were wrong and stressed that unity must come first. The message now is simple: draw a line and move on together.

Contract Clock and Dressing-Room Noise

The Argentina international is out of contract next summer, which only sharpened the spotlight. His first statement stopped short of saying sorry, but this latest one clears it up. Wayne Rooney called his comments disrespectful and Roy Keane felt the whole thing veered towards a circus — pointed criticism that Martinez has effectively answered by owning the mistake and fronting up.

Leeds Up Next: Time to Back It Up

United have won just two of their first nine in all competitions, and a trip to rivals Leeds on Sunday promises a fierce atmosphere. This is where talk meets action. Martinez’s edge is an asset when channelled the right way; now he and United need to show it in tackles, not timelines. If the apology resets the mood, the performance must confirm it.

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