FINALLY, AN APOLOGY: Lisandro Martinez has issued another statement, where he says sorry, after meeting with Michael Carrick and Man Utd chiefs

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has apologised after his outburst following the defeat to Atletico Madrid. The Red Devils centre-back pulled no punches after their 2-0 disappointment in the Spanish capital, where he made incendiary comments following a lack of reinforcements in the squad.

On Wednesday night, he defended his comments, describing his feelings as 'hurt' about United's latest plight. Despite a summer of movement which saw Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos enter the fray, the Argentinian felt compelled to hit out.

On Thursday, Martinez held a clear-the-air meeting with United head coach Michael Carrick and the club's leadership team in their first training session since the defeat to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. On social media, he took to social media to apologise.

He said: "Today I met with the club's leadership and the manager. It was a very positive conversation, where we were able to exchange views and speak openly about what happened after Tuesday's game.

"Everyone knows that I am a passionate person and that I live football with great intensity. The frustration of the defeat led me to express how I felt at a time and place that perhaps were not the rights ones, and for that I want to apologise.

"Our club is at its best when we are all united, and I recognise that my words in that moment did not help with that.

"I know that every single person at Manchester United is doing everything possible to achieve our shared ambition: bringing the success that this club and its supporters deserve.

"With this situation now behind us, we are fully focused on winning together."

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Martinez was said to be one of the last players to report to Carrington today (Thursday) with Carrick set to face reporters on Friday ahead of Sunday's must-win at Leeds United.

The 28-year-old has been fined over his comments, but Thursday's admission on social media is the second in as many days since the incident. On Wednesday evening, he said: "Following everything that has been said about my comments yesterday, I want to share some thoughts on what I said and how I feel.

"After the match, I 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.

"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. 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."

The Manchester Evening News have reported that some players agreed with the defender's comments in post-match interviews, while others disagreed with the manner in which they were made, with at least one senior member of the squad confronting him over the incident.

Reports elsewhere suggest that Martinez will be available for selection to face Daniel Farke's side, but it has been claimed that his future is uncertain with 12 months remaining on his deal - and United holding an option for a further year.

It stemmed from Martinez's furious encounter when he emerged for his post-Atletico media duties with Amazon Prime, saying: "I have to control myself a lot. But sometimes it's a reflection of how our club is at the moment, you know?

"We did a fantastic season last season, and now we expect more from the top, from above, you know, to bring more players to compete, because many, many teams bring many players in as well, and today also, Atletico have an amazing team, and they deserved to win today.