Martinez Apologises, Reportedly Fined After Man Utd Outburst — SkimNews
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- Lisandro Martinez issued a public apology on Thursday, saying his frustration "led me to express how I felt at a time and place that perhaps were not the right ones" after criticising United's lack of summer investment following the 2-0 Champions League defeat at Atletico Madrid
- Martinez met with technical director Jason Wilcox, CEO Omar Berrada, and head coach Michael Carrick on Thursday in what he described as "a very positive conversation" about the post-match comments
- Sky Sports News understands it was Martinez's own decision to publicly apologise, that he has reportedly been fined, and that the club now consider the matter closed ahead of Sunday's Premier League match against Leeds
- There are real doubts over whether Manchester United will extend Martinez's contract when it expires next summer, with the club planning to revamp their defence and scout new centre-backs and left-backs, though United retain a formal option for a further year
- Martinez had pushed for a summer move to Atletico Madrid to follow international team-mate Cristian Romero, but no suitable bid came in for United to consider, leaving him at Old Trafford against his preference
- Sky Sports reporter Dan Khan says at least one player confronted Martinez about his comments, testing the squad unity that players publicly highlighted in pre-season since Michael Carrick's appointment
- The article notes a historical parallel: Martinez made similar explosive comments about Ajax sporting director Gerry Hamstra in 2022, calling him "a nobody," when he again wanted to leave the club
Why it matters: Martinez's apology closes one chapter but his reported fine, a teammate confrontation, and United's plan to revamp the defence leave his Old Trafford future genuinely in doubt. With Carragher and Rooney publicly criticising him and no summer escape route materialising, squad unity Carrick built since his appointment faces its first real test heading into the Leeds match.
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