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, criticising the lack of summer investment in the squad, saying he expected more from "upstairs" and singling 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. He said he had spoken out of anger and frustration at not getting the result the team wanted, and that his words reflected how much he wants to see Manchester United competing for the biggest honours. He framed his remarks as a call for ambition throughout the club, adding that the players must deliver first and that he put himself at the front of that responsibility.
The reaction has been strong. Jamie Carragher called the comments "awful", while Wayne Rooney described them as "disrespectful". Sky Sports News' Football Correspondent Rob Dorsett reports there are real doubts about whether Martinez's contract will be extended when it expires in the summer. United have the formal option to prolong his stay for a further year, but will focus on revamping their defence in the next transfer windows, with new centre-backs and left-backs being considered.
United's bosses have yet to decide whether to discipline Martinez for his comments.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing