Lisandro Martinez has issued a fresh statement following his criticism of the Manchester United hierarchy, admitting his words after the 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League were spoken in "anger and frustration". The Argentinian defender, however, reiterated his demand for more from the club.
The 28-year-old did not hold back in his criticism of the club's transfer chief Jason Wilcox over the lack of summer investment. Martinez was adamant that while the players and manager Michael Carrick must shoulder some blame for the string of poor results, he believes they haven't been adequately prepared to compete on multiple fronts, especially after an impressive run last season that saw them clinch third place in the Premier League.
Post-match outburst
In a shocking interview after the loss, Martinez said: "I expect more [investment]. 100%. I expect more from our technical director."
"I have to be honest, as players we have to do more but it is also important when you make a strong squad to be ready for this kind of night. Tonight it is easy to [blame] the coach, easy to say the players but also we have to see other areas."
Social media clarification
Late on Wednesday night, Martinez took to social media to clarify his comments and explain his reaction, but stopped short of an apology. He said: "After the match, I spoke out of anger and frustration at not getting the result we all wanted."
"Those who know me know how I live football, with passion, commitment and a huge desire to win. And when things don't go our way, it hurts, especially when representing a club with the history and stature of Manchester United."
"My words reflect how I feel and how much I want to see this club competing for the biggest honours. Those high standards are part of how I see football and the responsibility that comes with wearing this shirt."
"When I talk about wanting more, I'm talking about the ambition we must all have as part of this club. To keep growing, to become stronger and to have everything we need to compete at the highest level. These are standards we must all hold ourselves to, starting with me."
"I know that, first and foremost, it's us, the players, who have to deliver, and I put myself at the front of that responsibility. We need to demand even more of ourselves and work together to take Manchester United back to the top."
"I believe in my team-mates, our manager and everyone working to help this club move forward. I'm convinced that the way forward is to keep working together, with ambition and commitment."
Squad reaction and summer transfer gaps
According to The Sun, some players have appreciated Martinez's candidness, interpreting his comments as a defence of their under-fire manager. However, not all team-mates are siding with the defender. One senior player feels that Martinez's remarks shifted the narrative around United's defeat to Atletico, despite many believing they performed well in spite of the loss. Another suggests that the absence of certain squad members has disrupted team harmony.
It's well known that United missed out on a number of targets in the summer. Several of these, including players like Elliot Anderson, were ones they opted not to chase due to their astronomical price tags. In the end, only the midfield was bolstered, with no new forwards or defenders joining the ranks. This already appears to be a regrettable decision, as Carrick is left managing a defence that hasn't seen any fresh faces for several summers.
