The wives and girlfriends of Manchester United players were reportedly forced to cancel a planned night out after Lisandro Martinez's scathing criticism of club bosses. The defender called out United's top brass, including director of football Jason Wilcox, after Tuesday's defeat at the hands of Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. Martinez later apologised for his comments and is set to be involved for the Red Devils when they face Leeds United on Sunday. The explosive interview was the talk of social media after the Atletico game, so much so that United chiefs reportedly took drastic measures to contain the fallout.

According to The Sun, a group of wives and girlfriends were forced to abandon a night out in Manchester after being placed on 'lockdown'.

They were set to dine at Cibo, an upmarket Italian restaurant in the city, on Thursday night but were reportedly forced to cancel their reservation.

A source is quoted as saying: "The girls were looking forward to getting together for a nice meal out and a whole floor of the restaurant had been booked.

"But they had to cancel it at the last minute after the club closed ranks in the wake of Martinez's comments. Everyone was told to just keep a low profile in the hope it all blows over.

"The WAGs are very protective of their partners and some are less than impressed with what he said because it sounded like he was saying some of his team-mates aren't good enough."

The report adds that a number of United players also had a table booked at Cibo, a favourite of former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, but were forced to cancel their plans too.

Martinez's long-term girlfriend, Muri Lopez, was due to attend alongside Fern Hawkins, the wife of Harry Maguire, plus Ana Pinho, who is married to captain Bruno Fernandes.

Others said to have booked a spot included Marcus Rashford's girlfriend, Lucia Loi, as well as Luke Shaw's long-term partner, Anouska Santos.

The source added: "Generally as a group they all get on very well and try and meet up a few times a year.

"But this week it was decided being pictured out on the town when the club is in crisis wouldn't be a good look, for players or their partners."