Lisandro Martinez shares his decision about Man Utd just hours after a surprising statement on social media
Lisandro Martinez has reportedly decided he doesn’t want to extend his contract with Manchester United, though he might not leave right when it ends this summer. After the 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, Martinez openly criticized the club’s leadership for not investing enough in the team.
The Argentine defender especially called out technical director Jason Wilcox and is expected to face some punishment for his comments in interviews with Amazon Prime and CBS Sports. Now, there’s a new update on his future.
According to The Athletic, Martinez doesn’t plan to stay at Old Trafford after next season because of his public criticism of the club’s board. His contract runs out at the end of the season, but United can extend it by a year, which could complicate things.
The club probably won’t want to keep a player who wants to leave, especially if they can’t easily sell him next summer. Losing him for free would be a big downside. However, United hasn’t made a final choice yet and seems unsure about keeping Martinez past June 30.
Martinez is said to prefer moving to Spain, with Atletico Madrid linked to signing him after his comments at the Wanda Metropolitano.
After many reactions to his words, including from former United players, Martinez took to Instagram late Wednesday to explain himself and why he spoke out. He said his goal is still “to win, to compete at the highest level and to give everything I have,” and showed support for his teammates and interim manager Michael Carrick.
“Those who know me know how I live football—with passion, commitment, and a huge desire to win,” Martinez wrote on Instagram. “When things don’t go well, it hurts, especially representing a club with the history and status of Manchester United. My words show how much I want to see this club fighting for big trophies. When I say we need more, I mean the ambition we all should have.”
He added, “We need to push ourselves even harder and work together to bring Manchester United back to the top. I believe in my teammates, our manager, and everyone helping this club move forward. My goal has been the same from day one—to win, compete at the highest level, and give everything I have for this badge.”