Lisandro Martinez’s week began with an explosive interview in Madrid and ended with a public apology.

On Wednesday he posted a written statement saying he had spoken out of “anger and frustration”, but stopped short of an apology.

On Thursday he met Jason Wilcox, Michael Carrick and the club’s leadership at Carrington before issuing a formal apology.

“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,” he said.

He 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”, and it is understood he has been fined.

Lisandro Martinez wants sporting director job

The Athletic report that Lisandro Martinez intends to become a sporting director after his playing career, meaning he takes a particular interest in these matters.

A source close to him said he was frustrated after United’s 3-2 League Cup capitulation against Brighton in September, disappointed that the team were not positive enough.

The source also said Martinez was annoyed before the Atletico game.

Sources close to the dressing room told The Athletic of a perceived lack of leadership at Carrington, with senior players feeling let down by Wilcox’s work in the summer window.

Wilcox was appointed technical director in April 2024, took on sporting director duties when Dan Ashworth left in December that year, and became director of football in June 2025.

It is not the first time Martinez has clashed with those above him, having called Ajax’s sporting director Gerry Hamstra a “nobody” in 2022 while pushing for a move to United.

United see the matter as closed, with no internal pressure on Wilcox and no suitable bid received for Martinez.

His contract expires next summer, and reports say his chances of staying beyond that are “remote in the extreme”.

Wayne Rooney called the interview “very disrespectful” and Gary Neville said senior players should be “fuming”, while Roy Keane defended his right to speak.

For a player who hopes to be on the other side of such conversations one day, this week has been an unusual preview.