Lisandro Martinez backtracks: official apology to Carrick after criticising Manchester United's management

Only two days earlier, the Argentina international had come out swinging after Tuesday night's 2-0 Champions League loss to Atletico. He demanded greater investment and new signings capable of competing in Europe, taking direct aim at the work of sporting director Jason Wilcox.

Thursday's training session ended with Martinez sitting down for a lengthy meeting with Carrick and the board. He then released an official statement, published by the Reuters agency.

In his second statement since the crisis broke, Martinez said: "I met today with the club's board and the manager. It was an extremely positive discussion, in which we exchanged views and spoke frankly about what happened after Tuesday's match."

The defender admitted frustration had pushed him to speak at the wrong moment, and said sorry for his comments.

He added: "Everyone knows I am someone who is passionate about football and lives it with complete enthusiasm. The frustration of the defeat drove me to express my feelings at a time and place that perhaps were not appropriate, and I would like to apologise for that."

"Our club reaches its peak when we are all united, and I accept that my words in that moment did not reflect that," he continued. "I know that every single person at Manchester United is giving their utmost to achieve our shared ambition, and to bring the success this club and its supporters deserve."

A source inside the club confirmed the public apology was Martinez's own idea. Any internal disciplinary action will stay confidential, and all parties regard the matter as entirely closed.

His statement ended by looking forward. "Having moved past this stage, we are now focused entirely on winning together."

All of this lands with United enduring their worst start to a Premier League season in 40 years. They sit 13th after six rounds, with seventh-placed Leeds United up next on Sunday.