Martinez’s apology did not spare him the fine. After Thursday’s talks with manager Michael Carrick and the club’s leadership, the 28-year-old was formally sanctioned for the comments he made in the mixed zone after Tuesday’s 2-0 Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid, according to BBC Sport’s Sami Mokbel.
What Martinez had actually said in Madrid was pointed. He turned on technical director Jason Wilcox and the club’s recruitment, telling broadcasters that the message was coming from the dressing room.
“I expect more from our technical director. We expect more from the top, from upstairs, to bring in more players to compete.”
The statement he released on Thursday pulled the attack back without disowning the feeling behind it.
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“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.”
Martinez added that he had spoken “out of anger and frustration” and still had “belief in my team-mates, our manager and everyone working to help this club move forward”. The club considers the disciplinary matter closed, with Carrick due to address the fallout at Friday’s press conference ahead of Sunday’s Premier League trip to Leeds.
The transfer story under the apology
The bigger consequence sits in the recruitment department. Martinez’s contract runs out in June 2027, with United holding a one-year extension option the Argentine is reportedly unwilling to sign, and INEOS are now planning for a January exit rather than a summer one.
That timing has pushed United back toward a defender they have chased before. Jarrad Branthwaite, 24, is the Everton centre-back the club’s hierarchy have identified as the immediate replacement, with United unwilling to wait until the summer window if Martinez leaves in January. Everton’s asking price has not softened: the Toffees want at least £80m before they will even open negotiations.
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INEOS have been here before
This is not a new target. In 2023, INEOS lodged bids topping £50m for Branthwaite and were rebuffed by Everton on all of them, after which United signed Leny Yoro from Lille instead. The left-footed England international, who made his senior debut earlier this month, is seen inside Old Trafford as a long-term rebuild signing rather than a stop-gap for Martinez.
Carrick is due at Old Trafford’s media room later on Friday for his pre-match press conference, with United travelling to Elland Road to face Leeds on Sunday.
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