Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has offered a further public apology after a turbulent week at Old Trafford triggered by his outspoken criticism of the club's transfer business following a defeat to Atletico Madrid.

The Argentine had described United's display against the Spanish side as "really poor" and pointed to a summer transfer window that, in his view, had failed to meet the squad's needs. The remarks caused friction inside the dressing room, with reports suggesting at least one teammate confronted him directly over the comments.

Martinez attempted to clarify his stance with a statement on Wednesday, but the situation escalated further when it emerged that United had fined him for speaking out against the club's hierarchy. According to BBC Sport, the punishment was confirmed on Thursday, around the same time Martinez sat down with manager Michael Carrick and senior club officials in an effort to resolve the dispute.

That meeting, held on Thursday afternoon, was described as productive, with all parties keen to move past the episode. Following the discussion, Martinez chose on his own initiative to release a fresh public apology addressing his outburst.

"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 the game," Martinez wrote. "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 right ones, and for that I want to apologise."

The defender went on to stress the importance of unity within the squad, acknowledging that his comments had worked against that principle. "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," he said. "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."

He closed his statement by insisting the matter was now resolved. "With this situation now behind us, we are fully focused on winning together," Martinez added.

Sources close to the situation indicate that both Martinez and club officials regard the saga as settled, with no lingering tension expected to affect preparations going forward. The confrontation had raised questions about dressing room harmony at a club already under scrutiny for its on-field results and recruitment strategy, but the swift intervention from Carrick and United's hierarchy appears to have calmed the waters.

Speculation had mounted throughout the week over whether United would take formal action against their defender, with many wondering if the club would risk further unsettling the squad by publicly disciplining one of its players. The confirmation of a fine, however, suggests United wanted to send a clear message about internal conduct, even as they worked to ensure the episode did not spiral into a deeper rift.

For now, attention turns back to performances on the pitch, with Martinez indicating his focus has shifted toward contributing to results rather than dwelling on the fallout from his comments. Whether the incident leaves any lasting mark on the dressing room dynamic remains to be seen, but both player and club appear eager to present a united front moving forward.

Based on reporting from Standard Sport and BBC Sport.