Lisandro Martínez issued a public apology to Manchester United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, after a heated exchange that followed the club’s 2‑0 defeat to Atlético Madrid in the Champions League. The defender’s statement came after a meeting with the club’s leadership and manager Michael Carrick, during which he expressed regret for his earlier criticism of Wilcox’s transfer activity.
The apology was posted on Instagram on Thursday evening, a day after Martínez had issued a brief statement on Wednesday that failed to address the incident. In his new message, the 28‑year‑old described the conversation with the club’s hierarchy as “very positive,” noting that he had “exchanged views and spoken openly” about the events that followed the Tuesday match. He acknowledged that his frustration over the loss had led him to vent in a manner he recognized was inappropriate, and he apologized for the “time and place” in which he spoke.
Martínez had been highly critical of Wilcox in the days after the loss, accusing the director of football of not doing enough to strengthen the squad during the summer transfer window. He demanded more investment and said that the club’s recruitment had fallen short of expectations, especially given the need for a stronger lineup to handle high‑pressure games. The defender also suggested that Carrick had not received sufficient backing from the club’s hierarchy, though he added that the manager was doing his best amid constant changes.
The club’s transfer activity in the summer has been a point of contention. Manchester United spent £155 million on midfielders, bringing in Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba, while Wilcox had reportedly targeted a left‑back. The squad’s frustration has been compounded by a poor start to the season, with the team collecting only six points from six league games – the lowest return since 1986 – and being knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Brighton.
While United has not disclosed any disciplinary measures, it is believed that Martínez may have been fined for his conduct. The apology marks a significant step toward mending relations within the club, though the broader issues surrounding recruitment and managerial support remain unresolved. The next few weeks will see whether the team can turn its fortunes around as it prepares for the remainder of the Premier League campaign and the upcoming European fixtures.