Lisandro Martínez said sorry, shook hands and still got a bill. Manchester United have formally punished the defender with a fine for his extraordinary attack on the club’s hierarchy, according to BBC Sport’s Sami Mokbel. It is the latest twist in a week that has turned a bad defeat in Madrid into a full-blown crisis at Old Trafford.
How the Row Started
On Tuesday, October 13, United lost 2-0 at Atlético Madrid. Speaking to Amazon Prime afterwards, Martínez said he expected more from “upstairs” and singled out technical director Jason Wilcox, criticising a summer in which United failed to fix left-back or striker. On Wednesday he released a first statement saying he had spoken out of anger and frustration, but it contained no apology.
The Apology and the Fine
On Thursday, Martínez met the club’s leadership, including Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada, with Michael Carrick also present. He then posted a second statement apologising, saying his frustration had led him to speak at a time and place that were not right. He added that the club is at its best when everyone is united, and that his words did not help.
The apology did not spare him. Mokbel reports Martínez has been formally punished with a fine, though the amount has not been revealed. Sky Sports News understands the club now consider the matter closed.
The Reaction
Reaction has been fierce. Wayne Rooney called the comments disrespectful to teammates and said any complaint should stay in the dressing room. Jamie Carragher called the timing awful.
Roy Keane described the situation at his former club as a bit of a circus. Meanwhile, Sky reports that Wilcox retains support at the club, and the papers claim senior players are behind Martínez, though that is a newspaper report and not confirmed.
What About His Future?
Martínez is 28 and out of contract at the end of the season, so his long-term position is in real doubt. Rooney suggested his performances are not good enough to justify the demands he made, and Sky’s analysis said players who speak out like this rarely last long. TEAMtalk and others say United are pursuing Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, with Everton reportedly valuing him at £80 million, but that is a rumour and nothing has been agreed.
Will He Play at Leeds?
That is the next question. United visit Leeds on Sunday, October 18, having won only one of their first six league games. Carrick is due to address the fallout at his Friday press conference, and it remains to be seen whether he picks Martínez. Leeds, meanwhile, are only a point outside the top four and would love to pile on the pressure.
Martínez Fine: Key Facts
- Trigger: 2-0 Champions League loss at Atlético Madrid, October 13
- Punishment: a fine, reported by BBC Sport, amount undisclosed
- Apology: issued Thursday after meeting the club’s leadership and Carrick
- Status: club consider the matter closed
- Next match: Leeds away, Sunday, October 18
What Happens Next?
For Carrick, the fine may stop the immediate headlines, but it does not fix the problems that sparked them. A poor result at Elland Road would bring the questions about his own future straight back.
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