\n<\/p>\n
MANCHESTER \u2013 Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez apologised on Thursday for criticising the club\u2019s hierarchy following their Champions League defeat by Atletico Madrid, after holding talks with \u200bmanager Michael Carrick and senior officials.<\/strong><\/p>\n Martinez met with Carrick and club executives after \u200ctraining, two days after saying the club needed greater investment to help the team compete at the highest level following Tuesday\u2019s 2-0 loss.<\/p>\n \u201cToday I met with the club\u2019s leadership and the manager,\u201d Martinez said in an \u200bInstagram post, in his second statement since the interview.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a very positive \u200bconversation where we were able to exchange views and speak openly about what \u2060happened after Tuesday\u2019s game.\u201d<\/p>\n A club source said that any internal disciplinary action would remain private, \u200badding that it had been Martinez\u2019s decision to apologise publicly and that all parties considered the \u200bmatter closed.<\/p>\n Martinez acknowledged that his frustration following the defeat had got the better of him and apologised for choosing the wrong moment to air his feelings.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone knows that I am a passionate person and that I \u200blive football with great intensity,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe frustration of the defeat led me to express \u200bhow I felt at a time and place that perhaps were not the right ones, and for that \u200cI \u2060want to apologise.\u201d<\/p>\n The Argentina international had singled out director of football Jason Wilcox in the post-game interview, saying United needed more signings to compete with their rivals and build a squad capable of challenging in Europe.<\/p>\n Martinez said his comments had not reflected the unity required at Old \u200bTrafford and stressed his \u200bbelief that everyone at \u2060the club was working towards the same goal.<\/p>\n \u201cOur club is at its best when we are all united, and I recognise that my \u200bwords in that moment did not come up with that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI \u200bknow that \u2060every single person at Manchester United is doing everything possible to achieve our shared ambition, bringing the success that this club and its supporters deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n Martinez finished his statement by drawing a line \u2060under the \u200bepisode.<\/p>\n \u201cWith this situation now behind us, we are fully \u200bfocused on winning together.\u201d<\/p>\n United are 13th in the Premier League after six games in their worst start in 40 years. \u200bThey travel to seventh-placed Leeds United on Sunday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n