United are now five games in all competitions without a win which has placed further pressure on a big game against Leeds United at Elland Road this Sunday. With focus firmly on that, United's players decided to axe plans to head out for a meal on Thursday evening, as per The Sun.

The controversy surrounding Martinez may have also had a role in that decision with Michael Carrick playing Ayden Heaven at left-back on Tuesday evening, a decision the United boss was forced into making due to injuries, that was the main reason for his outburst. That is according to The Sun, with the Argentine of the belief that deploying central defender Heaven in that position away to Atletico demonstrated how poorly equipped the squad is.

Their report makes clear that Martinez was not taking aim at Heaven but rather the board for their failure to secure a new left-back. Lewis Hall had been the club's primary target, however Newcastle United were unwilling to sell, which led to links with Joaquin Seys and Barcelona's Alejandro Balde, though neither materialised.

United could undoubtedly benefit from such reinforcement, especially with Shaw potentially sidelined for several weeks through injury. There was also a possibility that an internal discplinary could see Martinez absent for the game but the club have only confirmed a fine while Martinez has now issued a fresh statement on the matter.

He wrote on Instagram: "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.