Lisandro Martinez apologises for angry outburst at Man United hierarchy

Lisandro Martinez has apologised for his rant about sporting director Jason Wilcox after holding clear-the-air talks with the Manchester United hierarchy and manager Michael Carrick.

The defender admitted he was wrong to vent his feelings in a series of extraordinary interviews after Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid, when he said he expected more from Wilcox and more investment, while complaining Carrick’s squad was not the best compared to other leading clubs.

United consider the matter is closed and have not disclosed if Martinez has been fined for his comments, which he claimed stemmed from frustration of another loss amid the club’s slow start to the season.

Martinez made the decision to apologise himself, rather than being forced to by the club, and accepted his outburst compounded United’s problems.

“Today I met with the club’s leadership and the manager,” wrote Martinez on Instagram. “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.

“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.”

Martinez had released an earlier statement on social media on Wednesday in which he stopped short of apologising to Wilcox and the United powerbrokers.

The Argentina international, who is out of contract next summer, was himself criticised by former United striker Wayne Rooney for being “disrespectful” towards his team-mates, while ex-United captain Roy Keane described the situation as “a circus”.

United, who have only won two of their first nine games in all competitions this season, visit rivals Leeds on Sunday in a match that is sure to be emotionally charged.