Lisandro Martinez Rejects New Manchester United Deal Amid Spain Move Interest
Lisandro Martinez has decided he will not sign a new Manchester United contract, with the Argentina defender also opposed to the club activating the extra 12 months available in his current deal.
Key takeaways
- Martinez’s agreement runs until next summer, although United hold an option to extend it by a year.
- The 28-year-old wants a move to Spain, where Atletico Madrid have been strongly linked with him.
- United are considering disciplinary action after his public criticism of technical director Jason Wilcox.
- Martinez later said his remarks came from frustration after the 2-0 Champions League defeat in Madrid.
- Michael Carrick must now decide whether to select the centre-back at Leeds United on Sunday.
Contract standoff deepens after Madrid outburst
United have not yet decided whether to use their extension clause and are reluctant to do so, leaving Martinez’s future increasingly uncertain ahead of the summer window.
Negotiations over improved terms have made no progress since Martinez helped Argentina win the 2022 World Cup. The defender is unhappy with his pay relative to United’s highest-paid players, and an exit at the end of the campaign is now a growing possibility.
Spain is Martinez’s preferred destination. Atletico are among the leading potential destinations after beating United 2-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano in Tuesday’s Champions League tie.
After that defeat, Martinez openly called for greater recruitment and questioned Wilcox’s work. “We need more players if we are going to compete,” he said. “I expected more from the technical director, if I’m honest.”
His comments were not intended as an attempt to engineer a transfer, but they caused major unrest inside the squad. Some United players share concerns about Wilcox and the club’s direction, yet the decision to air those frustrations publicly has created tension. At least one teammate challenged Martinez privately over the episode.
Fine expected as Carrick weighs selection call
Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada and Wilcox were in Madrid for the defeat and the immediate fallout. United’s senior figures are expected to take action, with a substantial fine under consideration.
Martinez attempted to calm the situation on Instagram on Wednesday night. He said his words had been driven by “anger and frustration” over the result, stressed that he wants United fighting for major trophies, and publicly supported head coach Carrick.
The apology has not removed the problem. United’s loss in the Spanish capital was their fifth match in a row without victory in all competitions, adding further pressure to an already strained dressing room.
The squad are due back at training on Thursday morning after a day off, when club officials are expected to address Martinez’s conduct. United must settle on a punishment quickly as they seek to restore discipline.
Carrick’s next decision concerns Sunday’s Premier League visit to Leeds at Elland Road. Dropping Martinez would underline the seriousness of the situation, while selecting him would mean relying on a defender at the centre of a growing internal dispute.
