Lisandro Martínez has said he believes in “my teammates, our manager and everyone working to help this club move forward” after he criticised Manchester United‘s hierarchy, including director of football Jason Wilcox, in an explosive interview on Tuesday.
Following United’s 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, Martínez told Amazon Prime that he felt the club had failed to adequately strengthen the squad during the summer transfer window.
But, in a statement published to social media on Wednesday, the Argentine defender said that responsibility also lies with himself and with his teammates to improve the club’s fortunes.
“When I talk about wanting more, I’m talking about the ambition we must all have as part of this club,” Martínez said. “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.”
Sources told ESPN on Wednesday that United were assessing whether to take disciplinary action against the 28-year-old, who said in his statement that he “spoke out of anger and frustration at not getting the result we all wanted.
“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.”
– Sources: Man United assessing Lisandro Martínez comments
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– Wayne Rooney: Lisandro Martinez ‘disrespectful’ for Man United rant
United have won just two of their nine games this season: a 5-2 Premier League victory over Ipswich Town in August and a 4-0 win over Sabah FK in the Champions League in mid-September.
They spent £150 million ($199m) on Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans during the summer transfer window.
Sources told ESPN that Wilcox retains the support of United chiefs.
ESPN’s Rob Dawson contributed to reporting.
