Why Lisandro Martinez was right to draw line in sand with apology after accurate Man Utd rant

Lisandro Martinez has apologised for his bombshell post-match interview after Manchester United’s defeat to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night.

It has been another week of negative headlines surrounding Manchester United. From drawing with Tottenham and losing 2-0 against Atletico Madrid to Lisandro Martinez launching a verbal attack on the club’s board. Most of his frustrations stemmed from Jason Wilcox, but a lot of what he said resonated with United fans. They also have problems with the Glazers and Ineos.

However, Martinez met with the leadership team on Thursday before releasing an apology. The defender took to Instagram to confirm that “positive” talks took place after training and admitted his interview “did not help” in keeping the club united.

The apology doesn’t change how Martinez thinks about United’s lack of recruitment in the summer when cover was required for Luke Shaw and Benjamin Sesko – but he had to make it because now isn’t the time for distractions.

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In a second statement in as many days, Martinez took to Instagram Stories to update his fans. He wrote: “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.”

Martinez’s first statement didn’t include an apology. It was just 24 hours after his explosive interview, but now his tone has changed slightly. It’s for the better because nobody wants this situation to drag on any longer. Martinez said what he needed to say; now let’s get back to the football and getting back to winning ways.

United are keeping any disciplinary proceedings in-house but consider the matter closed. The last thing the club wants is for this to play out in the media.

Martinez added: “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.”

The timing of Martinez’s apology is important because it was published the night before Michael Carrick addressed the media before his team travels to Leeds in the Premier League. The United head coach avoided questions about the interview midweek as he hadn’t seen it yet, so it’s inevitable he will be asked a few questions about it – and Thursday’s meeting – later this afternoon.

The apology was required for everyone to move on, but concerns about United’s direction undoubtedly remain.