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Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has apologized for publicly criticizing the club's leadership over its squad investment following Tuesday's Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid, acknowledging that his frustration led him to speak out at the wrong time.
The 28-year-old Argentina international issued his apology on Instagram Thursday after meeting with head coach Michael Carrick and senior club officials.
Martinez had earlier questioned whether United had provided Carrick with a strong enough squad to compete, calling for greater investment and demanding more from technical director Jason Wilcox, who oversees key football operations at the club.
Following discussions with United's leadership, Martinez acknowledged that his comments had been driven by disappointment over the Champions League result.
"Everyone knows that I am a passionate person and that I live football with great intensity," Martinez said.
"The frustration of the defeat led me to express how I felt at a time and place that perhaps were not the right ones, and for that I want to apologise."
According to BBC Sport, Manchester United fined Martinez over his remarks, although the amount was not disclosed.
The defender subsequently explained that he had spoken out of anger and frustration while reaffirming his support for Carrick, his teammates and the club's staff.
Martinez also acknowledged that publicly questioning the club's leadership had not helped maintain unity within the team.
"Our club is at its best when we are all united, and I recognize that my words in that moment did not help with that," he said.
He added that everyone at Manchester United remained committed to restoring the club's success and meeting supporters' expectations.
"With this situation now behind us, we are fully focused on winning together," Martinez said.
The apology comes as United struggle to find consistency, having won just two of their opening nine matches across competitions. The club currently sits 13th in the English Premier League with six points from six league games.
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