Lisandro Martinez Explains Outburst but Offers No Apology to Man United Board

Lisandro Martinez has explained his outburst against Manchester United's board, saying he spoke "out of anger and frustration" after the 2-0 Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid, but he did not apologise to the club's bosses.

The 28-year-old defender hit out on Tuesday night, accusing the board and sporting director Jason Wilcox of failing to back manager Michael Carrick in the summer transfer window. 

Reports say United are now preparing to punish him. On Wednesday he posted a long statement on Instagram to calm things down, though it did not include a direct apology to the people he targeted.

"Following everything that has been said about my comments yesterday, I want to share some thoughts on what I said and how I feel," Martinez wrote. "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 teammates, 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."

He concluded: "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."

The row comes at a rough time for United, who have lost five of their first nine games this season. Team-mate Amad Diallo also added to the noise with a social media post that read "f***ing disgrace, I have no words."

United travel to Leeds United on Sunday and are short at the back, with Luke Shaw, Patrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui all out. Matthijs de Ligt was on the bench in Madrid after a year out with a back injury, so Martinez is still key to the starting line-up.

His contract runs out at the end of June, but United have a one-year extension option. They are widely expected to use it so they do not lose the £57 million World Cup winner for nothing next summer.