Lisandro Martínez is expected to travel with Manchester United for their upcoming trip to Leeds United, after the defender publicly apologized for his earlier criticism of the club’s hierarchy. The apology followed a heated press conference on Friday, when Martínez had called out director of football Jason Wilcox over the club’s transfer strategy following a 2‑0 defeat to Atlético Madrid in the Champions League.
Head coach Michael Carrick confirmed that the matter had been resolved and that the squad had moved past the incident. “He has issued a statement and acknowledged his mistake,” Carrick said in a press conference that was dominated by questions about Martínez. “That’s enough for us to move on.” Carrick added that the team’s spirit remained intact, noting that the players had trained well and were in good spirits despite the club’s five‑game winless run.
The controversy began when Martínez, who had been outspoken in the media after the loss to Atlético, met with Wilcox, CEO Omar Berrada and Carrick on Thursday. He then issued a public statement in which he described his comments as “awful” and “disrespectful,” and demanded more investment in the transfer window. The club’s legends Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville criticised the defender’s remarks, raising concerns about the impact on dressing‑room harmony. Carrick, however, insisted that the incident was not a drama for the group and that the squad had already moved on.
Looking ahead, United’s focus will shift to the game against Leeds on Sunday. Carrick stressed that the team’s priority is to produce results on the pitch, and that the club’s current form is “not a good place.” He also hinted that the club will reassess Martínez’s future when his contract expires in the summer, noting that United have an option to extend his stay for an additional year. Reports suggest the club is exploring new centre‑backs and left‑backs for the next transfer window, and that there is no immediate pressure on Wilcox’s position.
In summary, Martínez’s apology has been accepted by the club’s hierarchy, and he is slated to be part of the squad for the Leeds fixture. United will look to break their winless streak while simultaneously evaluating the defender’s long‑term role as they prepare for the next phase of the season.