Martinez risks Man Utd fine despite public apology over outburst
Manchester United have reportedly slammed a fine on Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez after double board outburst in which he publicly criticised the club’s summer transfer business.
Martinez ruffled feathers at Old Trafford when he questioned the club’s ambition in the transfer market after Manchester United’s 2-0 defeat away to Athletico Madrid in a UEFA Champions League game on Tuesday night.
He declared, Manchester United which has won just one of seven games this season, and have lost three of their past five outings, needs more investment and also called on the club’s Technical Director, Jason Wilcox to find a way to save the club from its present situation.
Instead of taking back his initial post-match comments, Martinez conducted a second interview with club legend Peter Schmeichel, where he doubled down on his stance against the board of Manchester United and what it needs to do.
The 28-year-old dared the club to take disciplinary action against him by demanding sweeping institutional changes, pointing out a lack of squad depth and also told those who cared to listen that he is not going to close his mouth.
He said; ‘’I’m not going to close my mouth.
“We have many games, we have to rotate players, and for me we don’t have the best squad compared to other top teams. As a club, I expect more,” he insisted.
Read Also: Martinez says emotions behind his outburst after Atletico defeat
“I’m not gonna close my mouth; we need to have more ambition,” Martinez continued.
“I try to be positive and try to be honest. We have to change and do more because I think we are capable of being better. We have the players. But also, when you watch the games on television, you see the players and the manager and you point the finger, which is right, we take the responsibility.” He added.
However, Martinez later issued a 271-word public apology on social media acknowledging that his comments and timing of his frustrations did not help his team ahead of their next fixture against Leeds United.
Manchester United hierarchy have now fined the player for his outburst following his public apology as the club now considers the matter to be closed.
The development was made known in a post shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) by transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano on Friday.
Romano’s post on the micro-blogging platform reads thus; “Manchester United have fined Lisandro Martínez as punishment and consider the case now closed.
“Lisandro spoke to Carrick and the directors to clarify the situation, apologize then now moving on.”
Martinez who moved from Dutch club Ajax Amsterdam to Manchester United in July 2022, in a deal worth £48.5 million rising to roughly £57 million in total with add-ons will be out of contract at the club in June 2027.
