The key facts
- Martinez criticized technical director Jason Wilcox after the 0:2 defeat to Atletico in the Champions League
- The player apologized on Instagram and, according to reports, has been fined but will be included in the squad for the match against Leeds
- United are 13th in the Premier League, with one win in six matches and just two wins in nine games this season
Conflict with the leadership and the apology
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez, 28, after the 0:2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday publicly criticized the club's leadership. He said that Michael Carrick had been left with a weakened squad, and said he had '100 percent' expected bigger investment in the summer transfer window after United's third-place finish in last season's Premier League, directing his criticism at technical director Jason Wilcox.
Carrick's reaction
On Thursday Martinez apologized, writing on Instagram that he had held positive talks with the club's leadership and Carrick, and that the 'frustration of the defeat' had made him express his feelings 'at the wrong time and in the wrong place'. According to available information, the player has been fined for the outburst. At the pre-match press conference on Friday Carrick said: 'It's done, really. We've moved past it. He came out and acknowledged the situation, and as a group we move on. For us as a group it's not a drama at all. The lads have trained well, there was a very good atmosphere at training this morning.' Carrick confirmed that Martinez will be included in the squad for the Premier League match against Leeds on Sunday.
Context
Former United captain Roy Keane called the situation at his former club 'a bit of a circus'. United travel to Elland Road — the ground of one of their main rivals — with two wins in nine matches in all competitions this season. In the Premier League the team are 13th, with one win in six games.
