Lisandro Martinez has insisted Manchester United must raise their standards and strengthen their ambition to compete for major trophies after publicly criticising the club’s leadership following their Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid.
The defender issued a statement on Wednesday seeking to clarify his comments after United’s 2-0 loss in Spain, during which he questioned the club’s summer recruitment and said he expected more from technical director Jason Wilcox.
Although Martinez acknowledged speaking out of anger and frustration, he stood by the underlying message that United must do more to return to the top of European football.
Ambition for the club to be the best
“My words reflect how I feel and how much I want to see this club competing for the biggest honours,” Martinez said.
“When I talk about wanting more, I’m talking about the ambition we must all have as part of this club. To keep growing, to become stronger and to have everything we need to compete at the highest level.”
The Argentina international also stressed that the responsibility for improving United’s fortunes does not rest solely with the hierarchy.
“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,” he said.
“We need to demand even more of ourselves and work together to take Manchester United back to the top.”
READ MORE: Man Utd: Lisandro Martínez slams technical director Jason Wilcox after Atlético Madrid loss
Managerial recycling not the answer
Martinez’s intervention comes during a difficult spell for Michael Carrick’s side, whose defeat in Madrid extended their winless run to five matches across all competitions.
The centre-back had suggested after the match that repeatedly changing managers would not resolve the club’s wider problems, arguing that greater squad investment was also necessary.
However, he moved to reaffirm his faith in Carrick and the wider group in his follow-up statement.
Comments not a shot at team-mates
“I believe in my team-mates, our manager and everyone working to help this club move forward,” Martinez added.
The defender insisted that collective commitment was the way forward, while making clear that his own ambitions at United had not changed.
“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.”
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