Lisandro Martinez says he ‘spoke out of anger and frustration’ in his explosive post-match interview on Tuesday and says he ‘believes in everyone working to help this club move forward.’
The Manchester United star has released a statement on social media on Wednesday night after grabbing headlines with his bombshell comments after Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid.
The Red Devils were beaten 2-0 in the Spanish capital and the Argentina international reacted by going on the attack, with the club’s hierarchy in his sights.
He told Amazon Prime: ‘We had a fantastic season last season and now we expect more from the top, from up, to bring more players to compete, because many teams bring many players as well. Today Atletico have an amazing team and deserve to win today.
‘I expect more. I expect more from our Technical Director, but I have to be honest we as players have to do more, but it’s important that we make a strong squad to be ready for this kind of night.’
There was criticism from former Manchester United players for speaking out in the manner he did, while the club has considered how they will react to Martinez’s comments.
The centre-back has now spoken out again, not apologising for what he said, but putting on a more united front in a statement.
Martinez wrote on social media: ‘Following everything that has been said about my comments yesterday, I want to share some thoughts on what I said and how I feel.
‘After the match, I spoke out of anger and frustration at not getting the result we all wanted.
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‘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 teammates, 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.
‘My goal has been the same since day one, to win, to compete at the highest level and to give everything I have for this badge.’
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand suggested the interview could spell the end for Martinez at the club, pointing out examples of people questioning the hierarchy and quickly departing.
‘These things don’t end well, man. They don’t end well,’ he said on Rio Ferdinand Presents. ‘Roy Keane spoke publicly, there could have been no bigger player than him who was the captain at the time, and he left days later. Cristiano Ronaldo called out individuals within the club, the manager, the ownership. He left straight after.
‘Ralf Rangnick looked like he was going to be there for a couple of years as interim manager. Called out and said things needed to be done. And I’m not disagreeing with what some of these guys have said, by the way. I’m just saying this is what happens when someone talks out about the hierarchy at the football club.’
There is the possibility that Martinez would welcome an exit, with his current contract expiring in the summer, but the club holding an option to extend it by a further year.
He has history with criticising bosses, with De Telegraaf alleging that he called Ajax technical director Gerry Hamstra a ‘f***ing nobody’ in 2002 after he stood in the way of his move to Manchester United.
After hitting out at Hamstra, Martinez was moving to Old Trafford just two days later.
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